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MEMOIR 


KEY.  JOHN  RODG 


,l7iV-' 


/, 


LATE  PASTOR  OF  THE  WALL-STREET  ASD  BRICK  CHURCHES, 
IN  THE  CITY  OF  NEW-YORK. 


BY  SAMUEL  3IILLER,  D.  D. 


>rttVIViyC   PASTOK   OF   THE   CHUSICH    IN   ^ALr.-STRFEJ . 


.YEIV'YORK, 


PUBLISHED  BY  WHITING  AND  WATSON,  THEOLOGICAL 
AND  CLASSICAL  BOOKSELLERS. 
J.  Seymour,  printer. 

1813. 


a 


TO  THE  MINISTERS 


OF    THE 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 

IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


REVEREND  FATHERS  A]NT»  BRETHREN, 

The  character  and  ministry  of  the  venerable 
Man  with  whose  memoirs  you  are  here  present- 
ed, were  dear  to  you  all.  Most  of  you  knew 
him  personally ;  and  all  of  you  revered  him  as 
one  of  the  Fathers  of  the  American  Church. 
Knowing  this,  I  had  no  doubt  that  you  would  be 
gratified  with  seeing  some  account  of  his  long, 
laborious,  and  useful  life :  and  knowing  also,  that 
no  one  could  so  naturally  be  expected  to  give 
this  account  as  his  surviving  colleague,  who 
served  with  him  as  a  son  in  the  Gospel,  for  more 
than  seventeen  years,  I  did  not  hesitate  to  make 
the  attempt. 


58030 


In  the  progress  of  the  undertaking,  I  have 
greatly  exceeded  the  Ihnits  originally  prescribed 
to  myself.  What  was  at  first  intended  to  be  a 
pamphlet  of  moderate  size,  has  insensibly  grown 
Into  a  volume.  Whether  any  apology  ought  to 
be  made  for  such  an  extension  of  the  work,  can 
be  ascertained  only  by  the  perusal. 

Such  as  it  is,  allow  me  to  inscribe  it,  most  re- 
spectfully, to  You.  As  I  wrote  under  the  habitual 
impression,  that  it  would  be  my  own  fault  if  I  did 
not  profit  by  the  contemplation  of  the  character 
exhibited  in  the  following  pages  ;  so  I  will  also 
frankly  confess,  that  I  was  not  a  little  encourag- 
ed and  animated  by  the  hope,  that  the  work,  with 
all  its  imperfections,  might  not  be  entirely  useless, 
among  others,  to  my  Fathers  and  Brethren  in  the 
Ministry.  One  thing  is  certain,  that  if  the  portrait 
here  drawn  be  even  tolerably  just,  it  cannot  be 
viewed  wholly  without  benefit  by  those  who  have 
a  taste  for  studying  and  copying  excellence. 


I  shall  not  be  surprised  if  it  should  be  imagin- 
ed by  some,  that  I  have  discovered,  in  the  ensu- 
ing sketch,  more  of  the  partiality  of  friendship, 
than  of  the  sternness  of  historical  justice.  I  can 
only  say,  that  it  has  been  my  sacred  aim  to  ex- 
hibit every  feature  that  was  attempted  to  be  por- 
trayed, true  to  the  original.  If  I  have  in  any 
case  failed,  the  error  was  certainly  unintentional. 
But  it  is  a  consolation  to  know,  that,  even  after 
making  the  most  liberal  allowance  on  this  score 
that  can  be  required,  there  will  still  remain  a 
large  and  solid  mass  of  personal  and  professional 
worth,  which  we  can  scarcely  too  often,  or  too 
respectfully,  contemplate.  We  may  say  concern- 
ing the  character  in  question,  what  I  have  some^ 
where  met  with,  as  said  concerning  another — 
"  Take  away  nine  parts  out  of  ten,  even  of  its 
"  virtues,  and  there  will  be  still  enough  left  to 
•*  admire,  to  imitate,  and  to  love." 

For  the  introduction  of  so  many  minute  details 
respecting  the  Chnrch  in  New-York^  I  hope  to  be 


6 

forgiven.  Though  they  cannot  fail  of  being  com- 
paratively uninteresting  to  many  readers ;  yet  by 
another,  and  perhaps  equally  large  class,  they 
will  be  considered  as  among  the  most  valuable 
parts  of  the  volume.  There  are  not  a  few,  in- 
deed, who  feel  so  great  an  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  that  church,  that  they  would  be  glad  to  possess 
a  history  still  more  minute  of  its  rise  and  progress. 
I  have  been  studious  of  the  gratification  of  such 
persons,  as  far  as  ray  plan  permitted.  Nor  can  I 
forbear  to  add,  that  the  sentiments  of  attachment 
and  gratitude  which  I  have  long  cherished,  for  that 
portion  of  the  flock  of  Christ,  with  which  my  de- 
ceased Colleague  laboured  for  near  half  a  century, 
and  which  I  have  had  the  happiness  of  serving  for 
more  than  nineteen  years,  led  me  to  take  peculiar 
pleasure  in  noticing  and  recording  every  thing 
important  concerning  it,  which  came  to  my 
knowledsre. 

I 

That  we  may  all  have  grace  given  us  to  imi- 
tate our  departed  Fellow-labourer,  so  far  as  he 


served  our  common  Master;  and  that  the  fol- 
lowing account  of  his  Life  may  be  made,  in  some 
degree,  to  promote  that  great  Cause,  in  the  ad- 
vancement of  which  he  lived  and  died,  and  to 
which  we,  as  Ministers,  have  solemnly  professed 
to  devote  ourselves,  is  the  fervent  prayer  of, 

Reverend  Fathers  and  Brethren, 

Your  fellow-servant  in  the  Gospel  of 

Jesus  Chi-ist. 

SAMUEL  MILLER. 

Nerv-York,  Feb.  25,  1813. 


MEMOIRS^ 


Luke  ii.  42.  49. 


CHAPTER  I. 

From  Ms  Bii^h,   to  Jds   Licensure  to  preach 

the  Gospel, 

A  MODERN  writer,  w  ho,  to  no  ordinary  talents, 
unites  great  eccentiicity  and  great  errors,  recom- 
mends the  erection  and  preservation  of  some 
memorial  of  every  one  that  dies.  The  sentiment 
embraced  in  this  plan  is  as  false,  as  the  plan  itself 
is  chimerical.  The  celebrated  English  moral- 
ist. Dr.  Johnson,  is  imdoubtedly  correct  w^hen 
he  observes,  that  there  are  "  many  characters 
"  which  ought  never  to  be  di'awn."  "  There 
"  have  been  men,"  he  adds,  "  splendidly  wicked, 
"  whose  endowments  threw  a  brightness  on  their 
"  crimes,  and  whom  scarcely  any  viilany  made 
"  perfectly  detestable,  because  they  never  could 
"  be  wholly  divested  of  their  excellencies ;  but 


10  Before  his  Ordination. 

"  such  have  been,  in  all  ages,  the  great  corrup- 
"  tors  of  the  world,  and  their  resemblance  ought 
"  no  more  to  be  preserved,  than  the  art  of  mur- 
**  dering  without  pain  *."  With  respect  to  ma- 
ny who  are  born  and  die  in  our  world,  the  soon- 
m*  they  are  forgotten  the  better.  As  they  were 
cumberers  of  the  ground  while  they  lived ;  so 
their  memorial  would  no  less  encumber  the  page 
of  history,  or  the  tablet  of  tradition.  It  is  a  real 
blessing  that,  according  to  the  divine  declaration, 
the  name  of  the  wicked  shall  rot. 

But  there  is  another  mistake,  much  more  pre- 
valent than  that  which  has  been  noticed.  It  is 
the  mistake  of  those  who  run  into  the  opposite 
extreme.  They  suppose  that  no  life  ought  to  be 
recorded  and  transmitted  to  posterity,  unless  it 
be  that  of  one  who  has  immortalized  himself,  ei- 
ther by  his  writings,  or  by  a  course  of  distin- 
guished action  on  the  theatre  of  the  great  world. 
Such  a  principle,  if  admitted,  would  undoubted- 
ly exclude  from  the  shelves  of  Biography  some 
of  the  most  useful  characters  that  ever  adorned 
human  society.  It  is,  therefore,  a  false  principle. 
And  while  it  is  freely  granted  that  the  public 
ousht  not  to  be  troubled  with  the   life  of  everv 

*  Rambler^  No.  4, 


Before  his  Ordination,  11 

good,  or  of  every  useful  man  ;  it  may  be  confi- 
dently maintained,  that  whenever  a  case  occurs 
in  which  a  life  has  been  marked  with  respecta- 
ble talents,  eminent  piety,  exemplai-y  diligence, 
and  extensive  usefulness,  such  a  life,  if  survivors 
are  disposed  to  profit  by  the  contemplation  of  it, 
ought  not  to  be  withheld  from  them. 

On  this  principle  the  author  of  the  following 
Memoirs  presumes  to  lay  them  before  the  pub- 
lic. The  venerable  Subject  of  them  was  never 
indeed  considered,  either  by  himself  or  by  others, 
as  belonging  to  the  class  of  those  extraordinary 
men,  who,  by  the  splendour  of  their  genius,  the 
variety  and  extent  of  their  learning,  or  the  num- 
ber of  their  publications,  excite  the  admiring 
gaze  of  mankind.  But  if  solid  and  respectable 
talents;  if  acquirements  which  enabled  him  to 
act  his  part,  in  various  important  stations,  with 
uniform  honour ;  if  patriarchal  dignity  ;  if  sound 
practical  wisdom,  and  a  long  life  of  eminent  and 
extensive  usefulness,  be  worthy  of  grateful  re- 
membrance, and  of  respectful  imitation,  then  the 
life  of  Dr.  Rodgers  is  worthy  of  being  written 
and  perused.  There  is  a  day  coming,  and  the 
estimate  of  christians  ought  now  to  anticipate 
it,  when  such  a  character  will  appear  infinitely 


J 2  Before  his  Ordination. 

more  worthy  of  conlemplation  and  reg'ard,  than 
that  of  the  most  splendid  improver  of  human 
science,  or  the  most  admired  leader  of  victorious 
legions,  that  was  ever  immortalized  by  the  his- 
torian's pen.  In  that  day  it  will  be  found,  that 
bearing  the  image  of  Christ,  and  a  gracious  re- 
lation to  his  Person,  is  the  highest  nobility;  and 
that  services  done  for  the  Saviour's  cause,  will 
obtain  the  only  lasting  reward. 

With  these  reflections  in  view,  the  attention  of 
the  reader  is  requested  to  the  following  Memoirs, 

The  Reverend  John  Rodgers  was  born  in 
the  town  of  Boston,  in  Massachusetts,  on  the  fifth 
day  of  August,  A.  D.  1727.  He  was  the  son  of 
Mr.  Thomas  Rodgers,  i^nd  Elizabeth  Baxter,  his 
wife,  who  removed  from  the  city  of  Londonderry, 
in  Ireland,  to  Boston,  in  the  year  1721.  There 
they  resided  until  1728,  in  the  autumn  of  which 
year,  when  the  subject  of  these  Memoirs  was  a  lit- 
tle more  than  a  year  old,  they  left  Boston,  on  ac- 
count of  some  troubles  occasioned  by  the  In- 
dians, and  transferred  their  residence  to  the  city 
of  Philadelphia,  They  had  two  sons,  and  six 
daughters.  James,  the  elder  son,  died  early ; 
John,  the  younger,  was  the  comfort  and  the  pride 


Before  his  Ordination,  13 

of  his  parents,  while  they  lived,  and  survived,  for 
a  number  of  years,  all  the  rest  of  the  family. 

His  parents,  early  discovering  in  their  younger 
son    more  than    usual   sobriety,   reflection,   and 
taste  for  knowledge,  bestowed  much  pains  on  his 
education.     His  pious  mother,  in  particular,  was 
unwearied  in  her  endeavours  to  form  his  tender 
mind,    and   to    imbue  it  with  the  principles    of 
piety.     At  the  age  of  about  twelve  years,  he  was 
brought  under  serious  impressions,   and  evinced 
much    thoughtfulness    and    concern    respecting 
his  eternal  interest.     At  this  time,  he  had  fre- 
quent opportunities  of  attending  on  the  ministry 
of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Whitefield,  that  ^'  prince  of 
*'  preachers,"  whose  gifts  were,   perhaps,   more 
wonderful,  and  whose  labours  were,    probably, 
more  eminently    blessed,  to  the   conversion    of 
souls,  than  those  of  any  other  individual,  since 
the  days  of  the  Apostles.     The  preaching  of  this 
herald  of  the  cross  w  as  blessed  to  young  Rodders, 
in  a  very  remarkable  manner.     That  he  attend- 
ed upon  it  with  great  interest,  and  with  deep  im- 
pression, even  at  that  early  age,  will  abundantly 
appear  from  the  following  anecdote,  which  he  of- 
ten related  to  his  particular  friends,  with  much 
tenderness  and  pleasure. 


14  Before  his  Ordination, 

It  is  generally  known,  that  Mr.  Whitefield 
often  preached  in  the  open  air ;  sometimes,  be- 
cause houses  of  worship  were  shut  against  him ; 
and  at  others,  because  his  audiences  were  too  large 
to  be  accommodated  in  any  ordinary  building. 
In  Philadelphia,  he  often  stood  on  the  outside 
steps  of  the  Court-house,  in  Market-street,  and 
from  that  station  addressed  admiring  thousands 
who  crouded  the  street  below.  On  one  of  these 
occasions,  young  Rodders  was  not  only  present, 
but  pressed  as  near  to  the  person  of  his  favourite 
preacher  as  possible  ;  and  to  testify  his  respect, 
held  a  lantern  for  his  accommodation.  Soon  af- 
ter the  sermon  began,  he  became  so  absorbed 
in  the  subject,  and,  at  length,  so  deeply  impress- 
ed, and  strongly  agitated,  that  he  was  scarcely 
able  to  stand;  the  lantern  fell  from  his  hand, 
and  was  dashed  in  pieces ;  and  that  part  of  the 
audience  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  speak- 
er's station,  were  not  a  little  interested,  and,  for  a 
few  moments,  discomposed,  by  the  occurrence*. 

*  A  subsequent  circumstance,  connected  with  this 
event,  and  not  less  remarkable,  is  worthy  of  being  record- 
ed Mr.  Whitejield,  in  the  course  of  his  fifth  visit  to 
jimericas  about  the  year  1754,  on  a  journey  from  the 
southward,  called  at  St.  George's,  in  Delaware,  where 
Mr.  Rodger s  was  then  settled  in  the  Gospel  ministry, 


Before  his  Ordination.  15 

The  impressions  thus  begun,  were  confirmed 
and  deepened,  and  resulted,  in  a  short  time  af- 
terwards, as  he  hoped,  when  he  was  but  little 
more  than  twelve  years  of  age,  in  a  saving  know- 
ledge and  acceptance  of  Jesus  Chi'ist  as  the  only 
refuge  and  hope  of  his  soul ;  and  in  a  cordial 
devotedness  to  his  service. 

From  this  period  he  resolved,  if  God  should 
enable  him,  to  devote  himself  to  the  service  of 
Christ,  in  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry. — 
With  this  view  he  immediately  began  the  study 
of  the  learned  languages,  under  the  direction  of 

and  spent  some  time  with  him.  In  the  course  of  this 
visit,  Mr.  Rodgers,  being  one  day  riding  with  his  visit- 
ant, in  the  close  carriage  in  which  the  latter  usually  tra- 
velled, asked  him,  whether  he  recollected  the  occurrence 
of  the  little  boy,  who  was  so  much  affected  with  his 
preaching,  as  to  let  his  lantern  fall  ?  Mr.  Whitejield  an- 
swered, "  O  yes !  I  remember  it  well ;  and  have  often. 
"  thought  I  would  give  almost  any  thing  in  my  power  to 
"  know  who  that  little  boy  was,  and  what  had  become  of 
"  him.'*  Mr.  Rodgers  replied  with  a  smile,  "  1  am  that 
"little  boy!"  Mr.  Whit  ejieldy  with  tears  of  joy,  started 
from  his  seat,  took  him  in  his  arms,  and  with  strong 
emotion  remarked,  that  he  was  the  fourteenth  person 
then  in  the  7ninistry  whom  he  had  discovered  in  the 
course  of  that  visit  to  A/verica^  of  whose  hopeful  conver- 
sion he  had  been  the  instrument. 


16  Before  his  Ordination* 

Mr.  Stevenson,  an  instructor  of  reputation  from 
Ireland,  who,  a  short  time  before,  had  set  up  a 
grammar-school  in  Philadelphia.  With  him  he 
remained  a  few  months,  much  to  his  own  profit 
and  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  preceptor.  About 
the  year  1741,  he  was  removed  to  a  grammar- 
school,  shortly  before  erected  on  the  Neshaminy, 
a  few  miles  from  Philadelphia,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Hoan,  an  eminent  clergyman  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  In  this  school  he  continued  several 
years.  Here  he  distinguished  himself  by  his  di- 
ligence, his  love  of  order,  and  his  exemplary  de- 
portment ',  and  not  less  by  the  decision  and  ar- 
dour with  which  he  manifested  his  love  of  reli- 
gion. At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  regularly  main- 
tained family  worship  in  the  house  in  which  he 
boarded ;  and  at  the  same  tender  age,  his  reli- 
gious depoilment  and  conversation  were  such 
as  that  even  pious  adults  did  not  disdain  to  at- 
tend to  them  as  sources  of  pleasure  and  profit. — 
An  excellent  woman,  a  number  of  years  since 
deceased,  who  spent  the  early  part  of  her  life  in 
Mr.  Roans  congregation,  used  to  mention, 
that  she  often  contrived,  on  the  sabbath  when 
she  went  to  church,  to  walk  a  few  feet  behind 
young  Rodgers,  "  on  purpose  to  hear  his  pious 


Before  his  Ordination.  17 

"  and    sensible    conversation    with    his   class- 
**  mates*." 

In  the  summer  of  the  year  1743,  when  this 
excellent  youth  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  he 
was  removed  from  Mr.  JRoans  school,  with  a 
view  to  his  pursuing'  the  higher  branches  of  stu- 
dy at  some  other  seminary.  And  there  being, 
at  that  time,  no  college  nearer  than  at  New  Ha- 
ven, in  Connecticut,  on  the  one  hand,  or  Wil- 
lianuhurg,  in  Virginia,  on  the  other ;  he  was 
sent  to  an  academy  of  high  reputation  at  Fogs 
Manor,  in  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania,  under 
the  care  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Blair,  who  was 
one  of  the  most  respectable  scholars  and  divines 
of  his  day  f .  Here  he  completed  his  academ- 
ical studies,  including  the  moral  and  physical 
sciences,  as  well  as  the  languages,  and  made 
considerable  progress  in  the  study  of  theology* 

*  Communicated  in  a  letter  from  Dr,  Rush,  for  which 
see  a  subsequent  part  of  this  volume. 

t  The  Rev.  Samuel  Blair,  was  a  native  of  Ireland^ 
He  came  to  America  very  early  in  life  ;  and  was  one  of 
the  students  of  the  Rev.  William  Tennent,  at  his  celebrat- 
ed Log  College,  on  the  JVeshaminy.  He  was  considered 
not  only  as  one  of  the  most  learned  and  able,  but  also  as 
ene  of  the  most  pious  and  excellent  men,  that  ever  adorn- 
ed the  American  Church.     He  died  in  1751. 

3 


18  Before  his  Ordination. 

At  Mr.  Blair  s  Academy,  Mr.  Rodger^  was 
so  happy  as  to  find  a  number  of  young*  gentle- 
men, of  excelleftt  talents,  and  of  eminent  piety, 
preparing"  for  the  Gospel  ministry,  in  whose 
friendship  he  found  much  comfort,  and  whose  so- 
ciety contributed  not  a  little  to  his  improvement. 
Among  these  was  Mr  Samuel  Davies,  after- 
wards so  highly  distinguished  for  his  pulpit  ta- 
lents, and  who  died  President  of  the  College  of 
NeiV'J ersey  ^ .    Among  this  number  also,  was 

*  The  Rev.  Samuel  Davies  was  born  in  the  county  of 
J\few-Castle^  in  the  state  of  Delaware,  November  3,  172  L 
He  received  the  greater  part  of  his  academic  and  theolo- 
gical education  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Blair, 
of  Fog's  Manor  ;  and  was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel, 
by  the  Presbytery  of  Jyeiv-Castle,  in  1745.  Soon  after 
this  event  he  travelled  into  Virginia,  where  he  settled, 
and  remained,  highly  respected  and  useful,  for  a  number 
of  years.  In  1753,  he  was  chosen  by  the  Synod  oi  JVeiv- 
YorA-,  at  the  solicitation  of  the  Trustees  ef  JVi^w-Jifrsey 
College,  to  accompany  the  Rev.  Gilbert  Tennent,  on  a 
mission  to  Great-Britian  and  Ireland,  to  solicit  benefac- 
tion for  that  College,  In  1759,  he  was  elected  to  suc- 
ceed Mr.  Edioards,  in  the  Presidency  of  the  same  Insti- 
tution. In  this  station  he  remained  but  eighteen  months, 
being  removed  by  death  in  January,  1761,  in  the  thirty- 
seventh  year  of  his  age.  The  genius,  taste,  learning,  and 
eminent  piety,  of  President  Davies  are  so  well  known?, 
that  it  is  unnecessary  to  dwell  on  them  here> 


Before  his  Ordination.  19 

Mr.  Alexander  Cumming,  who  became  early  in 
life,  one  of  the  ministers  of  the  Church  in  Nerv^ 
York,  and  who  held  a  high  place  among  the 
ministers  of  hi3  day.  To  these  may  be 
added  Messrs.  Robert  Smith,  James  Finley, 
Hugh  Henry,  and  a  number  of  others,  who  af- 
terwards became  distinguished  clergymen. — 
With  several  of  these  gentlemen,  and  especially 
with  Mr.  Davies,  he  formed  an  intimacy  of  the 
most  close,  and  endearing  kind ;  which  he  often 
mentioned  in  terms  which  evinced  that  he  con- 
sidered it  as  one  of  the  most  happy  circumstan- 
ces of  his  life,  and  that  he  remembered  it  with 
the  deepest  interest. 

It  is  an  old  observation,  that  men  assist  in 
forming  each  other.  Hence  considerable  men 
are  apt  to  arise  in  clusters.  Dr.  Rodgers  was 
so  happy  as  to  receive  his  education  at  a  pe- 
riod when  some  of  the  most  eminent  divines 
that  ever  adorned  the  American  Church, 
were  entrusted  with  the  direction  of  her  affairs, 
and  with  the  formation  of  her  ministry.  It  was 
not  difficult  to  perceive,  from  the  whole  of  his 
ministerial  character  and  deportment,  that  he 
had  enjoyed  the  advantage  of  early  and  inti- 
mate   intercourse    with   tliose    venerable,    and 


^0  Before  his  Ordination. 

excellent  men ;  and  that  he  had  profited  much 
by  the  advantage.  If  there  was  a  formality  in 
their  character  at  which  modern  flippancy  is  dis- 
posed to  smile  ;  there  was,  also,  a  solid  worth,  an 
apostolic  dignity,  a  primitive  piety,  and  a  fer- 
vent zeal,  which  would  to  God  were  more  fre- 
quently to  be  found,  at  the  present  day,  in  the 
Church  of  Christ ! 

Though  it  appears,  from  the  preceding  state- 
ment, that  the  subject  of  these  memoirs  did  not 
receive  what  is  commonly  styled  a  College  edu- 
cation,  he  certainly  received  an  education  incom- 
parably better  than  what  usually  passes  under 
that  title.  The  classical  literature,  especially, 
which  was  possessed  by  the  Tennents,  the  AlU- 
sons,  and  the  Blairs,  at  that  period,  was  much 
more  deep  and  accurate  than  is  commonly  ac- 
quired at  the  present  day,  by  most  American 
scholars.  They  received  it  from  the  best  Em'O- 
pean  sources ;  and  their  first  pupils,  like  them- 
selves, were  generally  well  instructed,  and  bore 
no  mean  resemblance  to  the  literary  stature  of 
their  masters.  That  young  Bodgers  had  able 
instructors,  at  this  period,  and  improved  his  time, 
is  apparent,  from  the  Latin  discourse,  found 
among  bis  papers,  which  he  delivered,  as  a  park 


Before  his  Ordination,  21 

of  his  early  trials  before  the  Presbytery ;  and  also 
from  the  numerous  and  apt  quotations  from  the 
ancient  classics,  which  his  memory  enabled  him 
to  make,  on  proper  occasions,  to  the  end  of  life. 
From  the  discourse  just  mentioned,  it  appears, 
that,  to  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages,  he  had 
added  some  knowledge  of  the  Hebrew,  when  he 
left  the  Academy. 

Many  persons  are  apt  to  suppose,  that  the  race 
of  divines  who  flourished  in  om*  country  seventy  or 
eighty  years  ago,  though  pious  and  excellent  men, 
had  a  very  scanty  supply  of  books,  and  in  many 
cases,  a  still  mo  re   scanty  education,  compared 
with  the  divines  of  later  years,  and  especially  of 
the  present  day.     This  opinion  is  not  only  erro- 
neous, but  grossly  so.     Those   venerable  fathers 
of  the  American  Church  were  more  deeply  learn- 
ed than  most  of  their  sons.     They  read  more, 
and  thought  more,  than  we  are  ready  to  imagine. 
The  greater  part  of  the  books  of  ancient  learn- 
ing, and  ponderous  erudition,  which  are  now  to 
be  found  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  were  im- 
ported, and  studied  by  those  great  and  good  men. 
Original  works  are  actually   in  fewer  hands,  in 
our  day,  compared  with  the  number  of  readers, 
than  in  theirs.     They  read  solidly  and  deeply : 


212  Before  his  Ordination. 

we  hurry  over  compends  and  indexes.  They 
studied  systematically,  as  well  as  extensively | 
our  reading  is  more  desultory,  as  well  as  more 
superficial.  We  have  more  of  the  belles  lettres 
polish ',  but  as  biblical  critics,  and  as  profound 
theologians,  we  must  undoubtedly  yield  to  them 
the  palm  of  excellence. 

Mr.  Rodgers,  having  pursued  his  theological 
studies  for  some  time  with  Mr.  Blair,  returned  to 
]iis  father's,  m  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  finished 
them  under  the  direction  of  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Gilbert  Tennent,  who  had  then  become  the  Pas- 
tor of  the  second  Presbyterian  Church,  in  that 
city  *.     In  the  month  of  June,  in  the  year  1747, 

*  The  Rev.  Gilbert  Tennent  was  born  in  Ireland, 
Pebuary  5,  1703.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  the  Rev. 
William  Tennent,  who  had  received  Episcopal  ordination 
in  that  country,  and  emigrated  to  America  in  the  year 
1718.  Soon  after  his  arrival  he  renounced  Episco- 
pacy, and  was  admitted  a  member  of  the  Presbyte- 
ry of  Philaddjihia.  He  was  one  of  the  most  eminently 
pious,  useful,  and  learned  ministers,  especially  in  classic- 
al literature,  that  the  American  Church  ever  had.  He 
educated  his  four  sons  Gilbert,  William,  John,  and 
Charles,  (together  with  a  number  oi  other  young  men,) 
at  his  Log-College,  on  ihe  Keshaminy  ;  and  had  the  satis- 
faction of  seeing  them  all  useful  ministers.     Gilbert,  in 


Before  his  Ordination,  23 

he  appeared  before  the  Presbytery  of  New- Cas- 
tle, and  entered  on  the  usual  trials  for  licensure 
to  preach  the  Gospel.  Having  passed  these 
with  more  than  usual  approbation,  he  was  licens- 
ed, on  the  14th  day  of  October,  in  the  same 
year  ;  and  soon  gave,  in  his  public  ministrations, 
as  well  as  in  his  private  deportment,  those  presa- 
ges of  future  excellence  and  usefulness,  which 
were  afterwards  so  happily  realized. 

the  year  1743, established  anew  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Fhiladelfihia^  chiefly  composed  of  those  who  were  de- 
nominated the  converts  and  followers  of  Mr.  Whitejield, 
He  was  a  bold,  ardent,  practical,  and  unusually  impres- 
-sive  preacher,    He  died  in  1764  or  1765* 


CHAPTER  II. 


^ —Vigens  juvenilibus  annis. 

Cum  juveni  tantam  dedit  experientia  lucem, 
Tale  ut  promat  opus,  quam  dabit  ilia  seni  ? 

Efiigr.  in  Borell. 


From  Ms  Licensure,  tilljiis  settlement  in  St. 

Georges. 

I^iMEDiATEiiY  after  his  licensure,  Mr.  Hodg- 
ers,  by  the  appointment  of  his  Presbytery,  began 
to  supply  the  numerous  vacant  Churches  under 
their  care ;  and  spent  the  following  winter 
among  those  more  immediately  in  the  vicinity 
of  his  usual  residence.  In  the  spring  of  the  year 
1748,  Mr.  Davies,  (afterwards  President  Da- 
vies,)  received  a  call  from  the  people  of  Hano- 
ver, Henrico,  and  three  other  neighbouring  con- 
gregations, in  Virginia,  to  settle  among  them 
as  their  pastor.  This  call,  in  the  month  of  April,, 
of  that  year,  he  accepted ;  and  immediately  set 
out  to  the  scene  of  his  intended  pastoral  labours. 
Mr.  Davies,  however,  made  it  one  condition  of 
his  accepting  this  call,  that  his  young  friend, 
Mr.   Bodgers,  (to  whom  he  w  as  particularly  at- 


Before  his  Ordination*  ^5 

iached  *,  and  whose  popular  talents  he  had  no 
doubt  would  be  eminently  useful  in  that  country,) 
should  accompany  him  into  Virginia,  and  assist 
him  in  his  evangelical  labours  there  for  a  few 
months.  Mr.  Rodgei^s  consented  to  go.  The 
Presbytery  made  the  appointment  accordingly : 
and  the  two  friends,  without  loss  of  time,  prose- 
cuted their  journey  together,  and  reached  Vir- 
ginia toward  the  latter  end  of  April. 

This  journey  was  attended  with  an  occurrence 
too  remarkable  to  be  omitted.  Mr.  Rodgers, 
from  his  earliest  years,  had  been  unusually  fearful 
of  lightning  and  thunder.  So  great,  indeed, 
was  his  agitation  and  suffering  during  thunder 
storms,  that  the  approach  or  prospect  of  one 
made  him  unhappy.  He  had  taken  much  paini? 
to  get  the  better  of  this  weakness ;  but,  to  use 


*  The  attachment  between  President  Davies  and  Dr. 
Rodgers  was  unusually  ardent  and  uniform.  The  former 
named  one  of  his  sons  John  Rodgers,  after  his  friend. 
The  latter,  on  his  part,  was  not  less  aft'ectionate  and  con- 
stant in  his  testimonies  of  regard.  He  received  Mr.  Da- 
vies'  mother,  after  the  premature  and  lamented  death  of 
her  son,  into  his  family,  where  she  was  treated  with  filial 
kindness  and  respect;  for  a  considerable  time,  and  where 
she  died. 

4 


26  Before  his  Ordination* 

his  own  langnage,  "  neither  reason,  philosophy^ 
"  nor  rehgion  availed  any  thing ;''  and  it  was  the 
more  distressing,  because  he  feared  it  might,  in 
some  degree,  interfere  with  his  ministerial  use- 
fulness. But  in  the  course  of  the  journey  under 
consideration,  he  was  entirely  delivered  from 
this  infirmity,  and  by  means  the  most  unlikely 
tliat  could  be  imagined  to  produce  such  a  happy 
effect. 

While  he  and  Mr.  Davies,  after  they  had  en- 
tered Virginia,  were  riding  together  one  after- 
noon, they  were  overtaken  by  one  of  the  most 
tremendous  thunder  storms  ever  known  in  that 
part  of  the  country.  They  were  in  the  midst  of 
an  extensive  forest,  and  several  miles  distant 
from  any  house  which  offered  even  tolerable 
shelter,  either  to  them  or  their  horses.  The 
storm  came  up  with  great  rapidity ;  the  light- 
ning and  thunder  were  violent  beyond  all  de- 
scription; and  the  whole  scene  such  as  might  be 
supposed  to  appal  the  stoutest  heart.  Their 
horses,  terrified  and  tremblingv  refused  to  pro- 
ceed. They  were  obliged  to  alight ,  and  stand- 
ing by  their  beasts,  expected  every  moment  to 
be  precipitated  into  eternity  by  the  resistless  ele- 
ment.  Providentially,  however,  they  escaped  un- 


Before  his  Ordination,  27 

hurt :  and  the  consequeuce  was  as  wonderful,  as 
the  preservation  was  happy.  From  that  hour 
I\lr.  Rodgers  was  entirely  delivered  from  the  in- 
firmity which  had  long  given  him  so  much  dis- 
tress !  On  whatever  principle  we  may  attempt 
to  account  for  the  fact ;  whether  we  suppose  that 
he  was  so  completely  saturated  with  fear  on  the 
occasion,  as  to  be,  ever  afterwards,  unsuscepti- 
ble of  its  influence  from  the  same  source;  in 
other  words,  that  he  was  literally  "  frightened 
*^  out  of  his  fear  i'  or  whether  we  suppose  that 
so  sio-nal  an  expei'ience  of  divine  protection,  was 
made  the  means  of  inspmng  him,  thence  for- 
ward, with  a  larger  share  of  pious  confidence, 
when  a  similar  danger  arose : — whether  we  re- 
solve the  fact  into  one  or  the  other  of  these  prin- 
ciples, still  the  fact  itself  is  unquestionable 
that  during  the  whole  of  his  after  life,  he  dis- 
played an  unusual  degree  of  composure  and 
self-possession  amidst  the  severest  thunder 
storms. 

The  rise  and  progress  of  the  body  of  Presby- 
terians in  Virginia,  to  whom  the  labours  of  Mr. 
Davies  and  Mr.  Rodgers  were  now  directed, 
deserve  some  notice,  before  we  proceed.  They 
deserve  this  notice  not  only  as  being  remarkably 


28  Before  his  Ordinatian. 

interesting  in  themselves,  but  also  as  throwing 
light  on  the  treatment  received  by  the  subject  of 
these  Memoirs,  in  the  course  of  the  southern 
mission  of  which  we  are  speaking. 

The  first  settlers  in  Virginia  were  generally 
connected  with  the  Episcopal  church.  Episco- 
pacy was  early  established  in  the  Dominion,  by 
law,  and  remained  so  until  the  revolution  which 
terminated   in   American   independence  *.      A 

*  In  1618a  law  was  passed  in  Virginia  which  enacted, 
that  "  every  person  should  go  to  church  on  Sundays  and 
"  holy-days,  or  lye   neck  and  heels  that  night,  and  be  a 
"  slave  to  the  Colony  the  following  week."     For  the  se- 
cond offence  he  was  to  be  a  slave  for  a  month  ;  and  for 
the  third,  a  year  and  a  day.     Stith^s  Hist.  p.  148.     In 
1642  a  law  passed,  which  enacted,  that  "  no  minister  shall 
"  be  permitted  to  officiate   in  the   country  but   such  as 
"  shall  produce  to   the   governor  a  testimonial  that  he 
"  hath  received  his  ordination  from  some  Bishop  in  Eng- 
<  land ;  and  shall  then   subscribe  to  be   conformable  to 
"  the  orders  and  constitutions  of  the  Church  of  England  : 
**  and  if  any  other  person,  pretending  himself  to  be  a  mi- 
"  nister,  shall,  contrary  to  this  act,  presume  to  teach  or 
"  preach,  publicly  or  privately,  the  governor  and  council 
"  are  hereby  desired  and  empowered  to  suspend  and  silence 
"  the  person  so  offending  ;  and  upon  his  obstinate  persis- 
"  tence,  to  compel  him  to   depart  the  country  with  the 
^^  first  convenience."    Laws  of  Virginia.  Edit.  1769.  p.  3. 


Before  his  Ordination*  29 

very  small  number  of  Presbyterians  from  ScoU 
land,  and  a  still  smaller  number  of  Dissenters 
from  Sou  fh' Britain,  were  thinly  scattered 
through  the  Colony ;  but  they  were  so  few  and 
so  destitute  of  religious  zeal,  that  no  ecclesiastic- 
al organization  different  from  that  of  the  estab- 
lishment seems  to  have  been  thought  of,  (except- 
ing on  a  small  scale  on  the  eastern  shore,  as  will 
hereafter  appear,)  until  between  the  years  1730 
and  1743,  of  the  last  century.  During  that  pe- 
riod, a  few  Presbyterian  Churches  were  formed, 
under  circumstances  too  remarkable  and  interest- 
ing to  pass  unnoticed. 

About  the  year  1730,  there  resided  in  the 
great  JSorthern  Neck,  between  the  Rappahan- 
noc  and  Potowmac  rivers,  a  certain  John  Organ^ 
a  pious  schoolmaster,  from  Scotland,  vSoon  af- 
ter his  establishment  in  that  country,  finding  that 
there  was  no  place  of  public  worship  in  his  im- 
mediate neighbourhood,  and  that  a  large  portion 

Several  of  these  laws  were  aiterwards  repealed,  or  their 
penalties  mitigated ;  but  they  remained  severe  un- 
til the  revolution.  We  are  accustomed  to  smile  at  what 
are  called  the  blue-laivs  of  Connecticut  ;  but  it  would  be 
difficult  to  find  any  thing  in  them  equal  to  the  first  act 
abovementioned. 


30  Before  his  Ordination, 

of  the  people  wjiolly  disregarded  the  ordinances 
of  religion,  and  were  sunk  in  carelessness  and 
profligacy,  his  spirit  7vas  stirred  within  him  to 
attempt  something  for  the  spiritual  advantage  of 
his  neighbours.  Accordingly,  he  collected,  in  pri- 
vate houses,  such  of  them  as  were  tolerably  de- 
i:ent  and  sober,  and  had  any  sense  of  religion,  and 
read  to  them  the  Scriptures  and  other  pious  writ- 
ings,   accompanied     with   prayer  and  singing. 
These  exercises  were  much  blessed,  to  the  awak- 
ening and  conversion  of  a  number  of  souls.    For 
several  years  nothing  more  was  attempted ;  es- 
pecially as  the  frowns  of  the  government  were 
soon  directed  towards  this  little  flock,  and  the 
laws    against    dissenters     rigorously     enforced 
against  them.     In  a  short  time,  however,  after 
the  formation  of  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  the 
people  of  Organs  neighbourhood  made  an  ap- 
plication to  that  body  for  supplies.     This  request 
was  granted ;  and  the  Rev  Mr.  Anderson,  who 
had  before  resided  in  New-York,  but  was  then 
settled  in  Pennsylvania,  was  sent  by  the   Synod 
to  preach  among  them,  to  organize  a  church, 
and  to  intercede  with  the  government  on  their 
behalf.      Mr.  Anderson  succeeded  in  attaining 
all  these  objects.     He  preached  to  great  accept- 
ance and  with  much  impression ;  and  formed  a 
church  w])ich  has  continued  to  the  present  day. 


Before  his  Ordination.  31 

While  these  things  were  going  on  in  one 
neighbourhood,  events  of  a  similar  kind,  but 
still  more  extraordinary,  were  taking  place  in 
another. 

In  Hanover,  and  the  adjacent  counties,  the 
aspect  of  religion  and  morals  had  long  been  ex- 
iremely  low  and  discouraging.  The  establish- 
ed clergy  were  many  of  them  notoriously  profli- 
gate in  their  lives,  and  very  few  among  them 
preached,  or  appeared  to  understand,  the  Gospel 
of  Christ.  It  was  under  these  circumstances  that 
some  pious  books,  or  fragments  of  books,  which 
fell  into  the  hands  of  a  few  individuals,  were 
'made  the  means  of  awakening  them  to  a  concern 
for  their  eternal  interest,  and  of  commencing  a 
work  of  grace,  which  was  afterwards  most  pow- 
erfully and  happily  extended. 

Boston  s  Four  fold  State  was  one  of  these  books. 
A  few  leaves  of  this  inestimable  work,  which 
had  belonged  to  a  pious  Scotch  woman,  fell  into 
the  hands  of  a  wealthy  planter.  Being  pleased 
and  surprised  at  what  he  read,  and  finding  the 
title-page  among  the  leaves,  he  sent  a  commis- 
sion, with  his  next  cargo  of  tobacco,  to  procure 
for  him  a  copy  of  the  book.     He  obtained  it ;  and 


32  Before  his  Ordination. 

the  more  he  read,  tlie  more  he  found  himself  iii^ 
terested  in  its  contents ;  until  he  was  brought, 
as  there  was  every  reason  to  believe,  to  a  saving 
acquaintance  with  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  An- 
other wealthy  planter,  Mr,  Samuel  Morris,  of 
Hanover,  having  providentially  fallen  in  with  an 
old  copy  of  Luther  on  the  Galalians,  perused  it 
with  eagerness  and  astonishment.  He  there 
found  representations  of  Gospel  truth,  such  as  he 
had  never  met  with  before,  and  widely  different 
from  what  he  had  been  accustomed  to  receive 
from  the  pulpit*.      Deeply    affected  with   the 

*  It  will  be  considered,  by  many,  not  a  little  remark- 
able, that  those  who  loved  and  admired  Boston's  Four- 
fold State<f  (a  strongly  Calvinistic  work,)  should  equal- 
ly relish  Luther  on  the  Galatians  ;  and  should  consider 
themselves  as  finding  the  same  precious  system  of  truth 
In  both.  An  impression  seems  to  have  been  received  by 
multitudes,  that  Luther  and  Calvin  differed  materially  on 
important  points,  particularly  on  the  subject  of  the  divine 
Decrees^  or  the  doctrine  of  sovereign  Election.  Nothing 
can  be  more  erroneous  than  this  impression.  Exceptmg 
in  the  single  article  of  Christ's  presence  in  the  Eucha- 
rist, there  was  the  most  entire  harmony  of  opinion  be- 
tween these  two  great  Reformers.  Those  who  Avish  to 
see  what  Luther  believed  on  the  doctrines  oi  Predestina- 
tion and  Grace,  would  do  well  to  consult  his  book  De 
Servo  Arbitrioy  in  which  they  will  find  as  high-toned 
Calvinism  as  ever  was  penned.     Indeed,  all  the  eminent 


Before  his  Ordination,  33 

view  of  human  nature,  and  of  the  way  of  salva- 
tion, wliich  this  work  exhibits,  he  never  ceased 
to  read,  to  inquire,  and  to  pray,  until  he  found 
consolation  in  Christ,  as  the  Lord  his  righteous- 
Reformers,  both  in  Great-Britain  and  on  the  continent  of 
Eurofie^  were  agreed  on  these  points.  The  leading  men 
among  them  were  all  doctrinal  Calvinists.  It  is  notori- 
ous, that,  for  a  number  of  years,  during  the  reigns  of 
Queen  Elizabeth,  and  James  I.  Calvin's  Institutes  was 
the  great  standard  book  put  by  authority  into  the  hands 
of  the  students  of  divinity  in  the  British  Universities,  and 
considered  as  the  foundation  of  their  studies.  This  is 
acknowledged  by  Heylin  and  others,  in  terms  of  the  bit- 
terest regret.  Nay,  by  a  convocation  held  at  Oxford, 
that  book  was  recommended  to  the  general  study  of  the 
nation.  Let  those  who  deny  the  Calvinism  of  the  early 
Reformers  and  standards  of  the  Church  of  England,  im- 
partially consult  Cranmer,  Ridley,  Latimer,  the  Lambeth 
Articles,  (drawn  up  and  signed  by  Archbishop  Whitgift, 
and  declared  by  him  to  be  true,  and  corresponding  nuith 
the  doctrines  professed  in  the  Church  o^  England,^  the 
writings  of  Hall,  Davenant,  and  Horsely,  and  they  will 
perceive  and  be  ashamed  of  their  mistake.  But  to  re- 
turn ;  it  is  certain  that  Luther  was  not  only  a  strong  doc- 
trinal Calvinist,  but  also  a  Presbyterian ;  that  is  to  sayj 
he  early  and  uniformly  maintained  the  parity  of  minis' 
ters  by  divine  right,  and  the  scriptural  authority  of  Pres' 
byters  to  ordain.  He  himself,  though  only  a  Presbyter^ 
freely  ordained,  at  an  early  period  of  his  Protestant  mi- 
nistry, and  he  did  the  same  only  a  few  days  before  his 
death. 

5 


34  Before  his  Ordination. 

ness  and  streng^th.  Nor  was  this  all.  It  is  one 
of  the  glorious  distiiictions  of  the  genuine  Gos- 
pel of  the  g-race  of  God,  that  wherever  its  power 
is  felt  in  the  heart,  and  in  proportion  to  the  de- 
(free  in  which  that  pow  er  is  felt,  there  will  al- 
ways be  maniiested  a  tender  love  to  the  souls  of 
men,  and  an  ardent  zeal  for  spreading*  the  know^- 
ledge  of  Jesus  Christ.  Not  the  warmth  of  mere 
party  zeal;  not  the  strange  fire  of  bigotry  and 
contention  for  modes  and  forms;  but  an  affec- 
tionate desire  that  men  may  be  saved,  and  thai 
Christ  in  all  things  may  he  glorified.  Such  was 
the  spirit  excited  in  this  remarkable  convert.  He 
no  sooner  had  obtained  a  comfortable  hope  for 
himself,  than  he  was  filled  with  concern  for  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  his  neighbours.  He  invited 
them  to  come  to  his  house,  and  to  hear  him  read 
passages  from  the  book  which  had  been  so  much 
blessed  to  his  own  soul.  They  attended,  par- 
ticularly on  the  sabbath,  for  this  purpose.  At 
first,  and  indeed  for  a  considerable  time  after- 
wards, no  other  exercise  than  that  of  reading 
was  attempted.  Extemporaiy  prayer  was  a  thing 
so  unknown  among  them,  that  none  durst  at- 
tempt it.  Their  whole  time,  when  together,  was 
employed  in  reading ;  and  INIr.  Morris,  being  an 
excellent  reader,  was  enabled,  to  a  very  unusual 


Before  his  Ordination.  85 

degree,  to  keep  up  their  attention.  And  the  spirit 
of  God  visibly  attended  the  exercise.  A  num- 
ber of  persons  were  seriously  impressed,  and 
some  hopel y  converted.  In  1 743,  a  young  Scotch 
gentleman,  having  received  from  his  friends  at 
home  a  volume  of  ^VhitefielcV s  Sermons,  publish- 
ed a  short  time  before,  put  them  into  the  hands 
of  Mr.  Morris,  who  perused  them  himself  with 
much  profit,  and  soon  began  to  read  them  to  his 
assembled  neighbours.  The  plainness  and  fer- 
vour of  these  discourses  were  blessed  to  the 
awakening  and  hopeful  conversion  of  several 
persons.  The  cariosity  of  some,  and  the  serious 
impressions  of  others,  increasing,  the  people  be- 
gan to  meet  on  week-days  for  this  exercise,  as 
well  as  on  the  sabbath.  In  a  short  time  Mr, 
Morins  house  became  too  small  to  accommo- 
date those  who  attended ;  oa  which  he  and  his 
neighbours  determined  to  erect  a  building  ex- 
pressly for  their  accommodation  at  these  reli- 
gious meetings.  This  buildmg  was  commonly 
called  "  Morris  reading-house,'  and  was  general- 
ly crouded  with  hearers.  The  knowledge  of 
these  circumstances  spreading,  Mr.  Morris  was 
invited  to  attend,  at  several  distant  places,  for  the 
purpose  of  reading  the  books,  and  especially 
WhitefiekVs  sermons,  which  had  been  so  accept- 


36  Before  his  OrdinaliOH, 

able  and  useful  in  his  immediate  neighbourhood. 
He  complied  with  these  invitations;  and  thus 
the  religious  awakening  and  anxiety  became 
considerably  extended. 

About  this  time  Mr.  Morris  and  his  friends 
attracted  the  notice  of  government.  Their  ab- 
senting themselves  from  their  parish  churches, 
contrary,  as  was  alleged,  to  the  laws  of  the  land, 
was  considered  and  treated  as  an  offence*.  They 
were  called  upon  by  the  court  to  assign  their  rea- 
sons for  this  absence,  and  to  declare  to  what  de- 
nomination they  belonged.  The  latter  question 
embarrassed  them  not  a  little.  Having  known 
scarcely  any  other  denomination  of  dissenters  be- 
sides Quakers;  and  not  being  aware  that  any 
body  of  peo])le  then  on  earth  embraced  the  same 
opinions  on  the  subject  of  religion  with  them- 
selves, tbey  were  at  a  loss  what  name  to  assume. 
In  this  embarrassment  they  begged  of  the  court 
a  little  time  to  retire,  and  determine  by  what 
name  they   chose  to  be  known.     After  a  short 

*  Mr.  ik/brrf  sand  a  number  of  his  friends  were  repeated- 
ly fined  by  the  court  for  absenting  themselves  from  the  es- 
tablished worship.  He  himself,  being  considered  as  a 
kind  of  leader,  was  treated  more  severely  than  the  rest. 
He  paid  near  twenty  fines. 


Before  his  Ordination.  37 

consultation,  recollecting  that  Luther  was  a 
noted  rel'ormer,  and  that  some  of  his  works  had 
been  of  peculiar  service  among  them,  they  re- 
solved to  take  their  denommation  from  him; 
they  accordingly  returned  into  court,  ami  declar- 
ed themseives  Lutherans.  By  this  answer  the 
members  of  the  court  were  embarrassed  in  their 
turn,  not  finding  any  law  or  precedent  which 
directed  them  how  to  proceed  against  Luthe- 
rans ;  and,  after  a  little  consideration,  dismissed 
Mr.  Morris  and  his  friends  without  pursuing- 
their  desigii  further  at  that  time. 

Things  were  in  this  situation,  when,  in  the 
ye:r  1743,  the  Rev.  William  Robinson,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbytery  of  Nerv-Brunswick  *,  who 

*  Mr.   Robinson  was  the  son  of  a  wealthy  Quaker  in 
England.     Being  permitted  to  pay  a  visit  of  a  few  weeks 
to  an  aunt  in  the  city  of  London,  from  whom  he  had  con- 
siderable expectations,    he    greatly    overstaid  the   time 
which  had  been  allowed  him ;  and  becoming  deeply  in- 
volved in  the  dissipations  of  the  town,  he  incurred  large 
debts,  which  he  knew  his  father  would  never  pay,  and 
which  his  aunt  refused  to  discharge.     In  this  situation, 
fearing  to  return  home,  and  unable  to  remain  longer  in 
London,  he  determined  to  quit  his  native   country,  and 
seek  his  fortune  in  America.     In  this  determination  his 
aunt  reluctantly  acquiesced,  and  furnished  him  with  a 
small  sum  of  money  for  the  purpose.     Soon  after  his  ar- 


38  Before  his  Ordination, 

had  been  ordaitied  sine  fitido,  with  a  view  to  his 
being"  sent  as  an  Evang^elist  to  preach  the  Gospel 
on  the  frontier  settlements,  in  the  coarse  of  his 
mission,  entered  Virginia^  and  preached  with  con- 
siderable success  in  some  of  the  more  remote  conn- 
ties  of  the  Colony.  While  he  was  thus  employ- 
ed, some  young  people  from  the  neighbourhood 
of  Mr.  Morris,  and  the  children  of  his  friends, 
being  on  a  visit  to  that  part  of  the  country,  heard 
him  preach,  and  recognizing  in  his  sermons  the 
same  doctrines  which  they  had  been  accustomed 
to  hear  at  the  Reading-house,  they  communicat- 

rival  in  America,  he  had  recourse,  for  subsistence,  to 
teaching  a  school,  in  J^eiv-Jersey,  within  the  bounds  of 
the  Presbytery  of  XyTew- Brunswick.  He  had  been,  for 
some  time,  engaged  in  this  business,  without  any  practi- 
cal sense  of  religion,  when  it  pleased  God  to  bring  him 
to  a  knowledge  of  himself,  and  of  the  way  of  salvation, 
in  a  remarkable  manner.  He  was  riding  at  a  late  hour, 
one  evening,  when  the  moon  and  stars  shone  with  unusu- 
al brightness,  and  when  every  thing  around  him  was  cal- 
culated to  excite  reflection.  While  he  was  meditating 
on  the  beauty  and  grandeur  of  the  scene  which  the  firma- 
ment presented,  and  was  saying  to  himself,  "  How  trans- 
"  cendantly  glorious  must  be  the  Author  of  all  this  beau- 
"  ty  and  grandeur  1"  the  thought  struck  him  with  the 
suddenness  and  the  force  of  lightning,  "  But  what  do  I 
"  know  of  this  God  ?  Have  I  ever  sought  his  favour,  or 
"  made  him  my  Friend  ?'*    This  happy  impression^  which 


Before  his  Ordination*  69 

ed  tlie  intelligence  to  their  parents  in  Hanover^ 
who  immediately  dispatched  two  men  to  Cub- 
Creel',  where  he  had  been  heard  by  their  chil- 
dren, in  search  of  Mr.  Robinson,  He  had  left 
the  place,  however,  before  the  arrival  of  the  mes- 
sengers, and  they  were  obliged  to  follow  him  a 
hundred  miles  on  his  jom*ney.  They  at  length 
found  him,  and  prevailed  on  him  to  appoint 
a  time  for  visiting  Hanover. 

At  the  appointed  time  Mr.  Robinson  came. 
He  had  been  obliged  to  ride  the  whole  of  the 
preceding  night  in  order  to  avoid  disappointing 

proved,  by  its  permanency  and  its  effects,  to  have  come 
from  the  best  of  all  sources,  never  left  him  until  he  took 
refuge  in  Christ  as  the  hope  and  life  of  his  soul.  He 
soon  resolved  to  devote  himself  to  the  work  of  the  Gos- 
pel ministry  ;  completed  his  academical  education,  and 
studied  theology,  while  he  went  on  with  his  school ;  and 
was,  in  due  time,  licensed  and  ordained  by  the  Presbyte- 
ry of  JVenv-Brunsivick^  as  above  stated.  Mr.  Robinson 
was  remarkable  for  the  native  vigour  of  his  mind,  and 
still  more  for  the  fervour  of  his  piety.  Wherever  he 
went,  it  pleased  God  to  grant  him  some  precious  fruits 
©f  his  ministry.  Few  names  in  the  American  Church 
rank  higher  than  his  on  the  scale  of  usefulness.  He 
died  at  St,  George*^,  in  Delaware,  in  the  month  of  April, 
1746. 


40  Before  his  OrcUnalion. 

the  people.  When  he  arrived  at  the  Reading- 
house,  they  were  assembled  in  crouds,  waiting  for 
the  preacher.  On  his  appearance  a  scene  ensued 
which  marked  at  once  the  conscientiousness  and 
the  simplicity  of  the  parties  on  both  sides.  Mr. 
Morris  and  his  friends,  though  they  had  heard 
a  high  character  of  Mr.  Hohinson  from  their 
children  and  others,  thought  proper  to  be  more 
certain  as  to  his  testimonials  and  his  creed,  be- 
fore they  suffered  him  to  address  the  congrega- 
tion which  had  assembled.  They,  therefore,  took 
him  aside,  while  ihe  people  waited,  and  not  only 
requested  to  see  his  testimonials,  which  were  am- 
ple ;  but  also  proceeded  to  examine  him  as  to 
his  views  of  the  leading  doctrines  of  the  Gos- 
pel. To  this  Mr.  Robinson  submitted,  not  only 
with  meekness,  but  with  affection ;  and  having 
entirely  satisfied  his  examiners,  he  went  into  the 
house  and  began  to  address  the  people.  Mr. 
Morris  himself  in  a  letter  to  President  Davies, 
thus  describes  the  scene  which  ensued. 

"  On  the  6tli  of  July,  1743,  Mr.  Robinson 
"  preached  his  first  sermon  to  us  from  Luke  xiii. 
"  3.  and  continued  with  us  preaching  four  days 
"  successively.  The  congregation  was  large 
"  the  first  day,  and   vastly  encreased  the  three 


Before  his  Ordination,  41 

"  followinof.  It  is  hard  for  the  liveliest  imaofina- 
*'  tion  to  form  an  image  of  the  condition  of  the 
"  assembly  on  these  glorious  days  of  the  Sou  of 
"  man.  Such  of  us  as  had  been  hungermg  for 
"  the  word  before,  were  lost  in  an  agreeable  sur- 
'*  prise  and  astonishment,  and  some  could  not 
**  refrain  from  publicly  declaring'  their  transport. 
"  We  were  overwhelmed  with  the  thoughts  of 
"  the  unexpected  goodness  of  God  in  allowing  us 
"  to  hear  the  Gospel  preached  in  a  manner  that 
"  surpassed  our  hopes.  Many  that  came  through 
"  curiosity,  were  pricked  to  the  heart ;  and  but 
"  few  in  the  numerous  assemblies  on  these  four 
"  days  appeared  unaffected.  They  returned 
"  alarmed  with  apprehensions  of  their  dangerous 
"  condition,  convinced  of  their  former  entire  ig- 
"  norance  of  religion,  and  anxiously  inquiring" 
what  they  should  do  to  be  saved.  And  there 
is  reason  to  believe  there  was  as  much  good 
"  done  by  these  four  sermons,  as  by  all  the  ser- 
mons preached  in  these  parts  before  or  since  *." 


6i 


U 


These  pious  people,  after  formally  taking  the 
name  to  themselves  in  the  presence  of  the  court, 

*  See  Mr.  Davies'  Letter  to  Mr.  Bellamy ^  oi  Bethlem, 
in  J\''e'w- England,  dated  June  28)  ITSl,  and  preserved  in 
Gillies*  Historical  Collections.     Vol.  ii.  p.  330. 

6 


42  Before  his  Ordination, 

steadily  called  themselves  Lutherans.  When 
Mr.  Robinson  visited  thero,  they  inquired  of  him 
to  what  denommation  he  belonged.  On  his  in- 
forming* them  that  he  was  a  Presbyterian,  and 
laying  before  them  the  import  and  reasons  of 
this  denomination,  they  agreed  to  adopt  it.  They 
accordingly  took  the  earliest  opportunity  of  con- 
necting themselves  with  the  Presbytery  of  Nerv-^ 
Castle,  which  was  the  nearest  body  of  that  kind 
to  the  place  of  their  residence ;  and  ever  after- 
wards called  themselves  Presbyterians, 

What  took  place  subsequently  to  the  short  visit 
of  Mr.  Robinson  at  Hanover,  will  appear  from 
the  following  continued  account  by  Mr.  Morris, 
in  the  same  letter  from  which  the  former  quota- 
tion was  made.  "  Before  Mr.  Robinson  left  us 
"  he  successfully  endeavoured  to  correct  some  of 
"  our  mistakes,  and  to  bring  us  to  carry  on  the 
worship  of  God  more  regularly  at  our  meet- 
ings. After  this  we  met  to  read  good  sermons, 
"  and  began  and  concluded  with  prayer  and 
"  singing  of  psalms,  which  till  then  we  had  omit- 
"  ted.  The  blessing  of  God  remarkably  attend- 
"  ed  these  more  private  means,  and  it  was  really 
"  astonishing-  to  observe  the  solemn  impressions 
"  begun,  or  continued  in  many,  by  hearing  good 


Before  Ids  Ordination,  4^ 

^*  discourses  read.  I  had  repeated  invitations  to 
^^  come  to  many  places  round,  some  of  them  thir- 
*'  ty  or  forty  miles  distant,  to  read.  Considera- 
**  ble  numbers  attended  with  eao^er  attention  and 
"  awful  solemnity,  and  several  were,  in  a  judg- 
"  ment  of  charity,  turned  to  God,  and  thereupon 
"  erected  meeting-houses,  and  chose  readers 
"  among  themselves,  by  which  the  work  was 
"  more  extensively  carried  on.  Soon  after  Mr. 
"  Robinson  left  us,  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Blair  paid 
^*  us  a  visit ;  and  truly  he  came  to  us  in  the  ful- 
^<  ness  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  Former  impres- 
**  sions  were  ripened,  and  new  ones  made  on  ma- 
**  ny  hearts.  One  night  in  particular  a  whole 
"  house-full  of  people  w  as  quite  overcome  with 
"  the  power  of  the  word^  particularly  of  one  pun- 
^'  gent  sentence,  and  they  could  hardly  sit  or 
*'  stand,  or  keep  their  passions  under  any  proper 
"  restraint.  So  general  was  the  concern,  during- 
"  his  stay  with  us,  and  so  ignorant  were  we  of 
"  the  danger  of  apostacy,  that  we  pleased  our- 
"  selves  with  the  thoughts  of  more  being  broup'ht 
"  to  Clu'ist  at  that  time,  than  now  appear  to 
"  have  been,  though  there  is  still  the  o-reatest 
"  reason  to  hope  that  severals  bound  themselves 
"  to  the  Lord  in  an  everlasting  covenant,  never 
^^  to  be  forgotten.      Some  time   after  this,  the 


44  Before  his  Ordination. 

*'  Rev.  Mr.  JRoan  was  sent  us,  by  the  Presbytery 
"  of  New-Castle.  He  continued  with  us  longer 
*^  than  any  of  the  former,  and  the  happy  effects 
"  of  his  ministrations  are  still  apparent.  He  was 
*'  instrumental  in  begmning  and  promoting  the 
**  religious  concern  in  several  places  where  there 
"  was  little  appearance  of  it  before.  This,  to- 
"  gether  with  his  speaking  pretty  freely  about 
the  degeneracy  of  the  clergy  in  this  colony, 
gave  a  general  alarm,  and  some  measures  were 
"  concerted  to  suppress  us.  To  incense  the  in- 
"  dignation  of  the  government  the  more,  a  per- 
**  fidious  wretch  deponed  he  heard  Mr.  Roan  ut- 
ter blasphemous  expressions  in  his  sermon.  An 
indictment  was  thereupon  drawn  up  aganist 
Mr.  Roan,  (though  by  that  time  he  had  depart- 
ed  the  colony,)  and  some  who  had  invited  him 
to  preach  at  their  houses  were  cited  to  appear 
**  before  the  general  couii;,  and  two  of  them 
"  were  fined.  While  my  cause  was  upon  trial, 
^*  I  had  reason  to  rejoice  that  the  throne  of  grace 
is  accessible  in  all  places,  and  that  helpless 
creatures  can  send  up  their  desires  unseen,  in 
"  the  midst  of  a  crowd.  Six  witnesses  were 
<*  cited  to  prove  the  indictment  against  Mr. 
<«  Roan,  but  their  depositions  Avere  in  his  fa- 
«<  vour  y  and  the  witness  who  accused   him  of 


6i 


i6 


Before  his  Ordination,  45 

"  blasphemy,  when  he  heard  of  the  arrival  of 
"  Messrs.  Tennent  and  Finley,  he  fled,  and  has 
*^  not  returned  since ;  so  that  the  indictment  was 
"  dropped.  But  I  had  reason  to  fear  being  ban- 
"  ished  the  colony,  and  all  circumstances  seem- 
''  ed  to  threaten  the  extirpation  of  religion  among 
**  the  dissenters  in  these  parts.  In  these  difficul- 
"  ties,  having  no  person  of  a  public  character  to 
**  appear  in  our  favour,  we  were  determined  to 
"  acquaint  the  synod  of  New-York  with  our  case. 
^'  Accordingly  four  of  us  went  to  the  synod, 
"  May,  1745,  when  the  Lord  favoured  us  with 
"  success.  The  synod  drew  up  an  address  to 
"  our  governor,  the  honourable  Sir  William 
"  Gooch,  and  sent  it  with  iNIessrs.  Tennent  and 
Finlei/y  who  were  received  by  the  governor 
with  respect,  and  had  liberty  granted  them  to 
"  preach  among  us.  By  this  means  the  dread- 
<^  ful  cloud  was  scattered  for  a  while,  and  our 
"  languid  hopes  revived.  They  continued  with 
"  us  about  a  week,  and  though  the  deluge  of 
^*  passion  in  which  we  were  at  first  overwhelmed? 
"  was  by  this  time  somewhat  abated,  yet  much 
**  good  was  done  by  their  ministry.  The  peo- 
"  pie  of  God  were  refreshed,  and  several  careless 
"  sinners  were  awakened.  Some  that  had  tinist- 
*^  ed  before  in  their  moral  conduct,  and  religious 


6i 


46  Before  his  Ordinatiou, 

^'  duties,  were  convinced  of  the  depravity  of  their 
**  nature,    and    the    necessity    of   regeneration ; 
"  though  indeed  there  were  but  few  unregene- 
"  rate  persons  among  us  at  that  time,  that  could 
"  claim  so  regular  a  character ;  the  most  part  in- 
"  dulging  themselves  in  criminal  liberties,  and 
"  being  remiss  in  the   duties  of  religion,  which, 
"  alas!  is  too  commonly  the  case  still,  in  such 
"  parts  of  the  colony  as  the  late  revival  did  not 
"  extend  to.     After  they  left  us,  we   continued 
^*  vacant  for  a  considerable  time,  and  kept  up 
"  our  meetings  for  reading  and  prayer,  in  several 
"  places,  and  the  Lord  favoured  us  with  his  pre- 
sence.    I  was  again  repeatedly  presented  and 
fined  in  court,  for  absenting  myself  from  church, 
"  and  keeping   up   unlawful  meetings,   as  they 
"  w^ere  called ;  *  but  the  bush  flourished  in  the 
'^  flames.'     The  next  that  were  appointed  to  sup- 
ply us,  were  the  Rev.  Messrs.    William   Ten- 
neiit  and  Samuel  Blair,     They  administered 
"  the  Lord's  supper  among  us ;  and   we  have 
^'  reason  ever  to  remember  it  as  a  most  glorious 
day  of  the  Son   of  man.     The  assembly  was 
large,  and  the  novelty  of  the  manner  of  the  ad- 
ministration did  peculiarly  engage  their  atten- 
"  tion.     It  appeared   as  one  of  tiiC  days  of  hea- 
"  ven  to  some  of  us ',  and  we  could  hardly  help 


66 


66 
66 

66 


Before  his  Ordination.  47 

"  wisliing"  we  could,  with  Joshua,  have  delayed 
"  the  revolutions  of  the  heavens  to  prolong  it, 
"  After  IVIessrs.  Tennent  and  Blair  were  gone, 
"  Mr.  Whdejield  came  and  preached  four  or 
^'  five  days,  which  was  the  happy  means  of  giv- 
"  ing  us  further  encouragement,  and  engaging 
"  others  to  the  Lord,  especially  among  the 
"  church-people,  who  received  the  Gospel  more 
*'  readily  from  him  than  from  ministers  of  the 
"  Presbyterian  denomination.  After  his  depar- 
"  ture,  we  were  destitute  of  a  minister,  and  fol- 
"  lowed  our  usual  method  of  reading  and  prayer 
"  at  our  meetings,  till  the  Rev.  Mr.  Davies,  our 
present  pastor,  was  sent  us  by  the  presbytery,  to 
supply  us  a  few  weeks  in  the  spring,  1747, 
"  when  our  discouragements  from  the  govern- 
ment were  renewed  and  multiplied  :  for,  upon 
a  Lord's-day,  a  proclamation  was  set  up  at  our 
"  meeting-house,  strictly  requiring  all  magis- 
trates to  suppress  and  prohibit,  as  far  as  they 
lawfully  could,  all  itinerant  preachers,  &c. 
"  which  occasioned  us  to  forbear  reading  that 
day,  till  we  had  time  to  deliberate  and  consult 
what  was  expedient  to  do  ;  but  how  joyfully 
"  were  we  surprised,  before  the  next  sabbath, 
"  when  we  unexpectedly  heard  that  Mr.  Davies 
"  w  as  come  to  preach  so  long  among  us,  and 


it 


(6 
46 


iS  Be/ ore  his  Ordination. 

*^  especially  that  he  had  qualified  himself  accord- 
"  ing  to  law,  and  obtained  tlie  licensing  of  foui* 
"  meeting-houses  among  us,  which  had  never 
"  been  done  before.  Thus  man's  extremity  is 
the  Lord's  opportunity.  For  this  seasonable 
interposition  of  divine  providence,  we  desire 
to  offer  our  grateful  praises,  and  we  importmie 
"  the  friends  of  Zion  to  concur  with  us." 

Such  was  the  situation  in  which  Mr.  Rodders 
and  his  companion  found  the  Presbyterians  of 
Hanover,  and  the  adjoining  counties,  when  they 
reached  Virginia,  They  preached  one  sabbath 
at  Hanover,  in  a  licensed  house,  and  then  pur- 
sued their  journey  to  Williamsburff,  to  present 
themselves  before  the  general  court,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  taking  the  necessary  qualifications,  and 
obtaining  license  to  preach,  agreeably  to  the  act 
of  toleration.  The  general  court,  it  seems,  had 
taken  the  power  of  granting  licenses  in  such 
cases,  out  of  the  hands  of  the  county  courts,  to 
which  it  had  been  committed  by  the  Act,  and 
claimed  it  exclusively  as  their  prerogative.  This 
unlawful  assumption  of  the  general  court,  was 
chiefly  owing  to  the  anxiety  of  the  established  cler- 
g\T^  who  had  become  very  uneasy  at  the  growing 
oxtension  and  influence  of  Presbytenanism  ;  and 


Before  his  Ordination,  49 

feared  an  undue  facility  and  readiness  in  the 
county  courts,  in  complying  with  the  solicita- 
tions of  applicants. 

Sir  William  Goocli  Was  now  lieutenant  go- 
vernor of  Virginia.  He  was  a  man  of  mild  and 
amiable  character,  and  strongly  opposed  to  the 
persecution  of  dissenters.  He  received  Mr.  Da- 
vies  and  iVIr.  Rodgers  with  great  politeness,  and 
introduced  them  to  the  court.  The  application 
of  the  former,  to  be  allowed  to  complete  his  quali- 
fications as  a  resident  preacher,  was  first  receiv- 
ed and  considered.  But  when  a  similar  applica- 
tion was  made  on  behalf  of  Mr.  Rodgers,  difl[i- 
culties  were  started  and  much  opposition  mani- 
fested. Mr.  Rodgers  produced  his  testimonials 
from  the  Presbytery,  &c.  and  requested  that  they 
might  be  read  ;  but  this  was  opposed.  Sir  Wil- 
Ham  Gooch  repeatedly  ordered  the  clerk  of  the 
coui-t  to  take  them  from  Mr.  Rodgers,  who  stood 
holding  them  in  his  hand,  and  to  read  them ; 
but  more  than  one  of  the  members  of  the  court 
pointedly  objected  to  his  proceeding ;  alleging 
that  it  was  their  right  to  sit  in  council  on  the 
subject,  before  any  further  step  was  taken ;  and 
that  they  demanded  the  exercise  of  the  privilege 
on  the  present  occasion.    Sir  William  then  bow- 


50  Before  his  Ordination. 

iiig"  to  Mr.  Davies  and  Mr.  Rodc/ers,  said, "  Gen- 
**  tlemen,  you  shall  hear  from  us  in  a  day  or 
**  two."  They  immediately  withdrew  to  theip 
lodgings,  deeply  affected  with  their  situation; 
shut  themselves  up  in  their  chamber ;  and  pour- 
ed out  their  hearts  to  God  in  fervent  prayer. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day,  Sir  William 

Gooch  sent  for  them,  requesting  to  see  them  at 

his  house,  to  which  they  immediately   repaired. 

There  they  found   Sir  Vlilliam,   together    with 

three   other  members  of  the   court,   who  were 

friendly  to  their  views.     On  being  seated.   Sir 

William  addressed  himself  to  Mr.  Davies  in  the 

following  terms  :  "  Sir,  it  has  been  with  the  great- 

"  est  difficulty  that  we  have  been  able  to  prevent 

"  the  court  from  revoking  your  license,  and  send- 

"  ing  you  out  of  the  colony.      This,  however, 

"  we  have  been  happy  enough   to  prevent." — 

Then  turning  to   Mr.  Rodyers,  he  said,  "  I  ana 

**  extremely  sorry  to  inform  you,   Sir,  that  the 

*^  gentlemen  of  the  court  will  by  no  means  con- 

**  sent  to  your  qualifying,  as  the  law  directs,  for 

"  preaching  in  the  colony."    Mr.  Rodgers  ihdiW^- 

ed  Sir   William  for  his  friendship ;  but  added, 

that  he  was  not  asking  a  favour,  but  pleading 

a  right;  and  therefore  could  not  help  considering^ 


Before  fiis  Ordination,  51 

himself  as  injui-ed  by  its  refusal.  Sir  William 
acknowledged  the  justice  of  this  remark,  and 
again  expressed  his  regret  at  the  course  things 
had  taken. 

In  the  evening'  of  the  same  day,  the  gentlemen 
received  a  very  polite  note  from  the  lieutenant 
governor,  advising  them  to  present  a  memorial 
to  the  court  on  the  subject  of  their  application ; 
at  the  same  time  informing  them,  that,  from  con- 
siderations of  prudence,  he  determined  to  absent 
himself  from  the  court  on  the  following  day,  when 
he  took  for  granted  their  memorial  would  be 
presented,  if  at  all.  Upon  this  suggestion  they 
prepared  a  respectful  but  spirited  memorial, 
which  they  signed,  and  presented  the  next  day 
to  the  court.  When  it  was  read,  the  oldest  mem- 
ber of  the  court,  who  filled  the  chair  in  the  ab- 
sence of  the  lieutenant  governor,  put  an  end  to 
further  discussion,  by  declaring  publicly  and 
witli  warmth,  "  We  have  Mr.  Rodger s  out,  and 
^*  we  are  determined  to  keep  him  out," 


This  extraordinary  proceeding  is  suscepti- 
ble of  the  following  explanation.  When  I\ir. 
levies  first   went   to    Virginia,  tlie    establish- 


52  Before  1m  Ordination. 

ed  clergy  felt  but  little  anxiety  about  the  influ- 
ence of  Presbyterianism,  considering  it  as  too 
small  and  feeble  a  cause  to  excite  apprehension. 
But  when  the  labours  of  Mr.  Davies  appeared 
evidently  to  be  gaining  an  unexpected  influence; 
when  they  found  that  Mr.  Rodgers  was  an  aai- 
mated  and  popular  preacher,  exceedingly  likely 
to  make  an  impression  ;  and  that  other  Prebyte- 
rian  ministers  were  settling  and  labouring  with 
success  in  several  adjacent  parts  of  the  country  , 
they  became  alarmed,  and  resolved,  at  all  events, 
to  arrest  the  progress  of,  what  they  deemed,  a 
threatening  evil.  Under  these  impressions,  they 
Avould  have  refused  to  allow  Mr.  Davies  to  pro- 
ceed in  completing  his  qualitications,  had  they 
not  given  to  him,  by  the  transactions  of  the  pre- 
ceclmg  jear,  a  pledge  of  his  aGmission,  which 
it  was  not  easy  either  to  explain  away  or  to  re- 
call. They  considered  it,  therefore,  as  the  less 
evil  of  the  two  to  admit  him  ;  but  having  given 
to  Mr.  Kodgers  no  such  pledge,  and  his  circum- 
staiices  being  considerably  diflerent  from  those 
of  Mr.  Davies,  they  determined  to  exclude  him 
from  the  domniion.  He  was  accordingly  for- 
bidaen,  in  the  most  peremptory  manner,  to  preach 
within  the  coiouy,  unuer  the  |.eiialty  oi  a  hiiC  of 


Before  his  Ordination.  53 

c£500,  and  a  year's  imprisonment,  without  bail  or 
mainprize  *. 

Sir  William  GoocJi,  the  lieutenant  governor^ 
paid  particular  attention  to  Mr.  Davies  and  Mr. 

*  The  ground  taken  by  the  government  of  Virginia 
against  dissenters,  at  this  period,  was  not  always  the- 
same.  Sometimes  there  was  a  disposition  in  the  courts 
to  treat  them  according  to  the  rigour  of  the  Act  of  Uni- 
formity. They  contended  that  the  Act  of  Toleration  was 
never  intended  for  the  colonies.  In  the  general  court, 
where  this  doctrine  was  for  a  time  maintained  with 
great  confidence  by  the  king's  attorney,  Mr.  Davies.  on 
a  certain  occasion,  defended  his  own  cause,  by  special 
permission,  and,  in  a  very  luminous  and  eloquent  speech, 
proved,  that  the  Act  of  Toleration  having  been  intended 
to  mitigate  and  qualify  the  Act  of  Uniformity^  must,  up- 
on every  just  principle,  be  considered  as  extending  as  far 
as  the  original  law  ;  and  observed,  that  if  it  were  decided 
that  the  Act  of  Toleration  did  not  extend  to  the  colonies, 
it  would  follow  that  the  Act  of  Uniformity  did  not.  This 
occurrence  seems  to  have  taken  place  soon  after  the  ex- 
clusion of  Mr.  Rodgers,  The  decisions  of  the  courts, 
however,  continued  to  be  fluctuating,  until  Mr.  Davies 
returned  from  England^  with  the  opinion  in  writing  of 
Sir  Dudley  Rider^  the  attorney  general,  which  was  fa- 
vourable to  dissenters.  This  was  produced  to  the  gener- 
al court  in  the  case  of  an  application  being  made  to  have 
some  place  licensed  for  dissenting  worship.  After  this 
no  legal  obstructions  were  thrown  in  the  way  of  Presby- 
terians, except  such  as  exist  in  England, 


54  Before  his  Ordination. 

Hodgers,  and  invited  them  to  his  house  repeated- 
ly *.  There  they  met  with  three  members  of  the 
general  comi;,  Mr.  Blair,  the  son  of  the  venera- 
ble Commissary  t,   Dr.  Dick,  and  another  gen- 

*  Soon  after  Mr.  Rodgers  reached  Williamsburg^  one  of 
the  established  clergy  oi  Hanover,  who  had  followed  him, 
appeared  before  !bir  William  Gooch,  and  complained  that 
this  young  gentleman,  before  going  to  Williamsburg^  had 
preached  one  sermon,  in  Hanover,  contrary  to  law,  urg- 
ing Sir  William  to  proceed  against  him  with  rigour.  Sir 
William^s  reply  did  equal  honour  to  his  religious  senti- 
ments and  his  o^cial  liberality — "  Mr. ,  I  am  surprise 

ed  at  you  !  "  You  profess  to  be  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ, 
**  and  you  come  to  me  to  complain  of  a  man,  and  wish  me 
<«  to  punish  him,  for  preaching  the  Gospel !  For  shame, 
<<  Sir  !  Go  home  and  mind  your  own  duty  !  For  such  a 
«  piece  of  conduct,  you  deserve  to  have  your  gown  stript 
^<  over  your  shoulders.'* 

t  The  Rev.  James  Blair  was  born  and  educated  in 
Scotland,  where  he  obtained  a  benefice  in  the  Episcopal 
church.  On  account  of  the  unsettled  state  of  religion  in 
that  kingdom,  he  quitted  his  preferment,  and  went  into 
England,  near  the  end  of  the  reign  of  Charles  II.  The 
Bishop  of  London  considering  him  as  well  qualified  for 
the  office,  both  with  respect  to  talents  and  piety,  prevail- 
ed on  him  to  go  to  Virginia  as  a  missionary,  where  he 
was  highly  popular,  and  extensively  useful.  In  1689,  he 
obtained  the  appointment  of  ecclesiastical  Commissary 
for  the  colony.  Mr.  Blair  solicited  a  charter  and  dona- 
tions for  William  and  Mary  College,  and  was  the  princi- 
pal agent  in  founding  that  Institution.     He  was  named  in 


Before  his  Ordination,  55 

tleman,  all  of  whom  regretted  the  manner  in 
^hich  Mr.  Rodders  had  been  treated,  and  were 
desirous  of  procuring  a  re-considc ration  of  his 
case,  and  if  possible,  redress.  But,  after  mvich 
deliberation,  it  was  judged  inexpedient  to  at- 
tempt  any  thing  further  at  that  time. 

Being  thus  cruelly  and  illegally  expelled,  in 
his  ecclesiastical  character^  from  Virginia,  Mr. 
Hodgers  determined,  without  delay,  to  quit  the 
dominion.     He  lamented,  however,  afterwards, 

the  charter  as  the  first  President  of  the  College,  and  act- 
ed in  that  capacity,  with  fidelity  and  acceptance,  until  the 
year  1742.     In  174She  died,  in    rir^m/a,  at  a  good  old 
age,  universally  lamented.     He  was  a  learned,  pious,  and 
exemplary  man,  and  filled  the  various  stations  to  which 
he  was  called  with  honour  and  usefulness.     This   gentle- 
man published  four  volumes  of  discourses  under  the  fol- 
lowing title  :    Our  Saviour's  divine  Sermon  on  the  Mount 
exfilained^  and  recommended^  in  divers  Sermons  and  Dis- 
courses.    London,  8vo.   1742.     This  work  is   spoken  of 
•with  high  approbation  by  Dr.  Doddridge^  in  his   Family 
Expositor.     Mr,    Blair  treated  Mr.  Whitejield^  when  he 
visited  Virginia^  with  much  respect  and  friendliness,  in- 
vited him  to  preach,  and  encouraged  his  evangelical  la- 
bours.    His  laudable  exertions  in  favour  of  religion  and 
literature  are  mentioned  with  pointed  respect  by  Bishop 
Burnet^  in  his   History  of  his   own  times.     See  vol.  iv. 
p.  174. 


56  Before  his  Ordination* 

that  he  had  not  appealed  to  the  King*  in  council^ 
as  such  a  measure  would  not  only,  in  all  proba- 
bility, have  secured  redress  in  his  own  case ;  but 
also  have  done  g'ood,  in  subsequent  cases  of  a 
similar  kind.  The  celebrated  Dr.  Doddridge, 
of  Great-Britain,  also  expressed  his  regret  that 
such  a  step  had  not  been  taken.  He  wished  for 
an  opportunity  of  seeing"  the  pious  and  promising 
young  American,  who  had  been  thus  treated  ; 
and  who,  by  appealing,  would  have  been  led  to 
make  a  voyage  to  the  mother  country :  and  he 
believed  that  a  favourable  decision  obtained,  in 
the  last  resort,  in  such  a  case,  would  have  been 
extensively  useful, 

Mr.  Rodger s,  quitting  the  western  shore  of 
Virginia,  crossed  the  Bay,  and  came  up  the 
Peninsula,  to  Somerset  county,  in  Maryland, 
where  he  spent  the  summer  of  1748 ;  a  summer 
of  which  he  was  accustomed  often  to  speak,  as 
one  of  the  most  pleasant  and  useful  of  his  life. 
The  easy  and  elegant  hospitality  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  Maryland,  has  been  long  and  justly  cele- 
brated. When  this  characteristic  disposition  is 
sanctified  by  religion,  and  has  for  its  more  imme- 
diate objects,  the  eminently  pious,  and  especially 
zealous  and  exemplary  ministers  of  the  Gospel, 


Before  his  Ordination,  57 

those  who  have  had  the  opportunity,  have  ob- 
served it  to  be  displayed  with  pecuhar  assiduity 
and  attraction.  Our  promising  young  herald 
of  the  cross  was  received  with  open  arms  by  the 
polished  and  hospitable  inhabitants  of  Somerset 
county.  His  genteel  and  dignified  manners 
were  peculiarly  acceptable  to  them;  and  the 
zeal,  the  piety,  and  the  various  respectable  quali- 
ties of  his  preaching,  rendered  him  highly  popu- 
lar. 

In  this  county  he  made  the  house  of  Captain 
Yenahle^  at  the  head  of  Wicomico  river,  more 
particularly  his  home.  But  the  friendly  atten- 
tions of  those  to  whom  he  was  introduced,  as 
well  as  an  unremitting  ardour  in  preaching  the 
Gospel  wherever  he  had  an  opportunity,  drew 
him  in  every  direction  through  that  district  of 
country.  His  ministrations,  in  the  course  of  this 
summer,  were,  in  a  very  uncommon  degree, 
blessed,  to  the  conviction  and  conversion  of  sin- 
ners, and  to  the  edification  of  the  pious.  He 
often  expressed  a  conviction  that  he  had  been 
made  the  means  of  doing  more  good,  dming 
that  short  period  of  three  or  four  months,  than 
in  any  equal  period  of  his  life  afterwards.  The 
tj-iumphs  of  the  Gospel  were  numerous  and  sig- 


o8  Before  his  Ordination, 

nal.  In  several  cases,  indeed,  they  were  so  re- 
markable as  to  be  abundantly  worthy  of  being* 
recorded,  did  not  the  limits  prescribed  to  these 
Memoirs  forbid  our  descending:  to  such  muiute- 
ness  of  detail.  A  single  case  shall  serve  as  a 
specimen. 

About  a  mile  below  Capt.  Venahles,  on  the 
JficomicOf  lived  Mr.  Winder,  a  gentleman  of 
great  wealth  and  urbanity,  a  polite  scholar,  and 
a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church.  Notwith- 
standing his  religious  connexion,  however,  he 
called,  with  much  civility,  at  the  house  of  his 
neighbour,  to  see  the  young  Presbyterian  preach- 
er, and  invited  him  to  pay  him  a  visit.  Mr. 
Rodger s  accepted  the  invitation,  and  went  ac- 
cordingly. He  was  apprized,  by  the  members  of 
Captahi  Venahles  family  who  accompanied  him, 
that  Mr.  Winder  was  a  zealous,  high-toned  Epis- 
copalian, and,  particularly,  that  he  was  a  very 
determined  and  ardent  opponent  of  the  doctrine 
oi  Election.  He  thanked  his  informants  for  this 
hint,  and  promised  to  be  on  his  guard  against 
any  unnecessary  collision  with  his  respectable 
host  on  the  topics  on  which  they  differed.  Mr. 
liodgers,  however,  was  scarcely  seated  in  his 
house,  before  Mr.   Winder  himself  introduced 


Before  his  Ordination,  69 

the  controversy  respecting  Election,  by  asking 
his  opinion  of  a  book  on  that  subject,  which  was 
lying  open  on  a  table  in  the  parlour,  and  which 
had  been,  probably,  placed  there  by  design.  Our 
young  preacher  replied  that  he  had  never  before 
seen  the  book  referred  to ;  but  that  he  was  a 
very  firm  believer  in  the  doctrine  of  Election, 
and  could  not  help  regarding  it  as  a  very  impor- 
tant and  precious  part  of  the  Christian  system. 
This  plunged  them  at  once  into  the  midst  of  the 
dispute  ;  which  was  continued,  with  a  few  inter- 
ruptions, during  the  rest  of  the  day.  Mr.  Rod- 
gers  plied  his  opponent  with  the  usual  argu- 
ments, drawn  from  the  perfections  of  God ;  from 
the  inseparable  connexion  of  pre-determination 
Vf\\h  foreknowledge  ;  from  the  consideration,  that 
if  all  men  be  not  saved,  and  if  salvation  be  of 
God,  there  must  be  a  choice,  a  selection  from  the 
whole  number  of  the  human  family  ]  from  ex- 
press and  pointed  declarations  of  Scripture  on 
this  subject ;  and  from  the  utter  impossibility  of 
supposing  prophecies  to  be  either  understanding- 
ly  revealed,  or  certainly  fulfilled,  without  admit- 
ting, at  the  same  time,  the  doctrine  of  predesti- 
nation. To  all  these  he  added  an  appeal  to  the 
articles  of  Mr.  Winder  s  own  Church,  in  which 
the  doctrine  of  Election,  precisely  as  held  by 


00  Before  Ids  Ordination. 

CalvinistSt  is  most  clearly  and  strong-ly  laid 
down.  Mr.  Rodgers  acknowledged  that  there 
were  difficulties  attending*  this  doctrine,  which 
he  did  not  presume  to  be  able  to  solve  ;  but  warn- 
ed Mr.  Winder  of  the  danger  of  opposing  a 
doctrine  which  the  pious  and  venerable  fathers 
of  his  own  church,  with  their  collected  wisdom, 
had  pronounced  to  be  full  of  "  sweet,  pleasant, 
**  and  unspeakable  comfort,  to  godly  persons ;'' 
though  exceedingly  liable,  as  they  add,  to  be 
perverted  by  "  curious  and  carnal  persons,  lack- 
"  ing  the  spirit  of  Christ,"  and  to  become,  to  such 
persons,  a  means  of  "  most  dangerous  down- 
"  fall  * :"  and  above  all,  warned  him  against 


*  See  Article  xvii.  The  Calvinism  of  the  39  Article  of 
the  church  of  England^  has  often  been  denied  by  modern 
Episcopalians,  as  suggested  in  a  foregoing  note.  But  there 
is  one  fact  on  the  subject  which  the  language  of  the  17th 
Article,  as  above  quoted,  renders  incontrovertibly  evident. 
It  is  this ;  that  the  compilers  of  the  Article  held,  and  meant 
to  express,  the  doctrine  of  Predestination  in  a  form, 
which,  though  "  full  of  sweet,  pleasant,  and  unspeakable 
"  comfort,  to  godly  persons  ;"  was  yet  not  only  mysteri' 
ous,  but  also  highly  offensive  to  the  natural  feelings  of 
men;  in  a  form  exceedingly  liable,  in  their  view,  ia per- 
version^ and,  when  perverted,  to  become  a  source  oi  dan- 
ger to  the  over-curious  speculatist.  Now  we  may  safe- 
ly appeal  to  Arininians^  and  ask,  whether  these  caution- 


Befoy^e  his  Ordination*  61 

the  rejection  of  a  doctrine  which  appeared  to  be 
so  plainly  and  decisively  laid  down  in  many  parts 
of  the  Scripture;*  of  infallible  truth. 

Mr.  Winder  acknowledged  himself  silenced, 
but  not  convinced.  He  was  evidently,  however, 
less  warm  and  positive  toward  the  close  of  the 
visit,  than  when  the  dispute  commenced ;  and 
dismissed  his  guest  in  the  evening  with  much 
respect  and  friendliness. 

The  next  sabbath  Mr.  Kodgers  preached  in 
the  neighbourhood.  Mr.  Winder  was  one  of 
his  hearers ;  and  the  faithful  and  animated  dis- 
course, founded  on  Ephesians  ii.  8.  For  hy 
grace  are  ye  saved,  through  faith  ;  and  that  not 
of  yourselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God — was  made 
the  means  of  reaching  his  heart.  He,  in  com- 
mon with  a  number  of  others,  was  deeply  affect- 
ed, in  the  course  of  the  service,  and  retired  from 
the  house  of  worship  with  very  different  views  of 

ing  and  qualifying  clauses,  are  at  all  applicable  to  their 
views  of  the  doctrine  of  election  ;  and  whether  their 
whole  spirit  and  force  do  not  refer  to  the  Calvinistic 
view  of  the  subject?  Such  cautions,  and  qualifying  sug- 
gestions are  not  to  be  found  in  Arminian  writers  ;  while 
in  Calvinisdc  writings  they  are  scarcely  ever  omitted. 


62  Before  his  Ordination » 

himself,  and  of  the  way  of  salvation,  from  those 
with  which  he  came  thither,  or  had  ever  entertain- 
ed before.  The  next  day,  he  called  on  Mr. 
Rodgers  ;  not  to  cavil  at  the  doctrine  of  Election  ; 
not  to  speculate  on  the  mysteries  of  religion,  as 
matters  of  curious  investigation ',  but,  as  a  con- 
vinced and  humbled  sinner,  to  ask,  7vhat  he 
should  do  to  he  sav  d  ?  His  heart  was  now  soft- 
ened ',  his  difficulties  were  in  a  great  measure  re- 
moved ;  he  WHS  convinced  that  if  ever  he  were 
saved,  it  must  be  by  yrace  alone  ;  he  was  ready 
to  acknowledge  himself  an  instance  of  the  sove- 
reiynty  of  divine  grace ;  and,  in  a  short  time^ 
found  sweet  peace  and  consolation  in  those  truths 
which  had,  a  few  days  before,  appeared  to  him 
unscriptural  and  forbidding.  Not  long  after- 
wards he  united  himself  in  communion  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church ;  was  for  many  years,  not 
only  a  distinguished,  exemplary,  and  useful  mem- 
ber, but  also  a  ruling  elder  of  that  Church  in  So- 
merset county  ;  and  often  spoke  of  the  revolu- 
tion which  his  views  and  hopes  had  undergone, 
and  of  the  circumstances  attending  it,  with  deep 
humility,  and  fervent  thankfulness. 

In  the  course  of  this  summer  an  event  occur- 
red, which  Mr.  Rodgers  apprehended,  for  a  few 


Before  his  Ordination,  63 

days,  might  interfere  with  the  continuance,  or  at 
least  with  the  comfortable  prosecution,  of  his  mi- 
nistry.    When  he  was    preaching  on  a  certain 
sabbath,  to  a  large   concourse  of  people,  in  the 
open  air ;  in  the  midst  of  the  sermon,  with  scarce- 
ly the  least  warning,  he  fell  to  the  earth,  almost 
as  suddenly,  and  to  appearance   as  lifeless,  as  if 
he  had  been  shot.     After  remaining*  for   some 
time  in  a  state  of  entire  insensibility  to  all  that 
was  passing,  he  opened  his  eyes,  and  found  him- 
self suiTOunded  by  a  number  of  anxious,   weep- 
ing friends,    who   supposed,  for  some  minutes, 
that  he  had  actually  expired.     He  arose,  with 
a   little   assistance;    walked  into    an   adjoining 
wood;  and,  in  about  half  an  hour,  returned  and 
finished  his  discourse ;  resuming  it,  as  his  audi- 
ence remarked,  with  the  very  word  which  w  as 
on  his  lips  when  he  fell.     He  went  through  the 
remainder  of  the  serv  ice  as  usual,  and  preached 
again  in  the  afternoon.     On  the  next  sabbath,  in 
the  forenoon,  when  preaching  under  similar  cir- 
cumstances, he   was  again  attacked  in  a  similar 
way ;  but  feeling  himself  about  to  sink,  he  in- 
stantly stopped,  sat  dow  a ;  called  for  a  drink  of 
water ;    walked,    as   before,   into   the  adjoining 
wood ;  and  soon  returned,  as  on  the  preceding 
sabbath,    and   went  on   with   the   service,   and 


64  Before  his  Ordination. 

preached  again  in  the  afternoon.  What  zeal! 
what  firmness  were  here  !  Instead  of  being  ap- 
palled by  occurrences  of  this  kind,  in  such  quick 
succession,  and  sparing  himself,  at  least  for  the 
remainder  of  each  day,  as  most  persons  in  his 
situation  would  have  done,  he  set  an  example  of 
heroism  truly  worthy  of  a  young  Christian  sol- 
dier !  It  is  remarkable  tiiat  he  was  never  after- 
wards affected  in  a  similar  manner. 

Early  in  the  autumn  of  the  year  1748,  Mr. 
Hodgers  took  leave  of  Maryland,  and  returned 
to  Pennsi/lvania.  When  he  attended  his  Presby- 
tery, in  the  month  of  October,  he  foundybwr  calls 
for  him,  ready  to  be  laid  before  that  body.  One, 
of  the  most  affectionate  and  pressing  kind,  from 
Somerset  county,  in  Maryland,  which  he  had  re- 
cently left;  one  from  Canococheayiie,  and  an- 
other from  Pequea,  both  in  Pennsylvania ;  and 
the  fourth  from  St.  George  s,  a  small  village,  in 
the  county  of  New-Castle,  on  Delaware,  Of 
these  several  calls,  that  from  Somerset  county, 
w  as,  in  every  respect,  most  agreeable  to  his  own 
views  and  wishes.  There  he  had  been  more  use- 
ful than  in  any  other  part  of  the  Church;  and  there 
he  had  received  such  testimonies  of  respect  and 
attachment  as  made  a  deep  and  lasting  impres- 


Before  his  Ordination,  65 

sion  on  his  mind.  Had  he  been  left  to  follow 
his  own  inclination,  he  would,  undoubtedly, 
without  a  moment's  hesitation,  have  accepted 
this  call.  But  it  was  ordered  otherwise.  Though 
the  congregation  of  St,  George's  was  the  smal- 
lest and  feeblest  of  the  whole  number  that  soli- 
cited his  pastoral  labours ;  and  though  a  settle- 
ment among  them  was  less  promising,  on  the 
score  of  temporal  provision  and  comfort,  than  in 
any  of  the  other  places  in  his  oflfer;  yet  his 
brethren  in  the  ministry,  and  other  pious  friends, 
believing  that  the  prosperity,  if  not  the  continued 
existence,  of  this  congregation,  depended,  un- 
der God,  on  their  speedily  obtaining  a  popular 
preacher,  urged  him  so  much  to  accept  their  call, 
that  he  thought  it  his  duty  to  do  so  ;  and  accord- 
ingly declared  his  acceptance  of  it  at  the  same 
meeting  of  Presbytery  at  which  it  was  presented. 


^ 


CHAP.  III. 

Siuidet  lingua,  jubet  vita. 

avlci'  aroog. 

Luke  xii.  43. 

From  his  settlement  in  St.   George  s,  until  Ids 
removal  to  JSIew-York. 

]\Ir.  Rodgers  was  ordained  to  the  work  of 
the  gospel  ministry,  and  installed  pastor  of  the 
church  of  St.  George  s,  by  the  Presbytery  of 
IS ew- Castle,  on  the  16th  day  of  March,  in  the 
year  1749.  Solemnities  of  this  kind,  when  even 
tolerably  conducted,  are  always  highly  interest- 
ing to  the  pious  mind ;  but,  on  this  occasion,  they 
were  peculiarly  so.  The  ardent  piety  of  the 
candidate  ;  his  youth  ;  his  great  popularity  ;  the 
strikins:  testimonies  of  attachment  which  he  re- 
ceived  from  the  people  of  his  charge,  and  the 
venerable  character  of  several  of  the  ministers 
who  took  part  in  the  transaction  *,  all  conspired 

*  Among  the  members  of  the  Presbytery  who  were  pre- 
sent on  this  occasion,  besides  Mr.  Blair  and  Dr.  Finley^ 


St.  Georges*  07 

to  render  the  scene  uncommonly  impressive  and 
gratifying".  The  Rev.  Mr.  Blair y  the  preceptor 
and  friend  of  Mr.  Rodgers,  presided  in  the  lay- 
ing on  of  the  hands  of  the  Presbytery.  The 
sermon,  usual  on  such  occasions,  was  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Finley  *,  and  was  af- 

there  were  the  Rev.  Messrs.  John  Blair^  Samuel  Da- 
vies,  Charles  Tennent,  Alexaiider  Hutchinson,  all  emi-- 
nent  in  their  day. 

*  The  Reverend    Samuel  Finley,  D.  D.  was  bom  in 
Ireland,     He  left  his  native   country  at  the  age  of  eigh- 
teen, and  arrived  at  Philadelphia  on  the  28th  day  of  Sept. 
1734.  With  a  fixed  vietv  to  the  gospel  ministry,  he  had 
made  considerable  progress  in  his  classical  studies  before 
he  left  Ireland.     After  his  arrival   in  America,  he    spent 
several  years  in  prosecuting  his  academical  and  theolo- 
gical   studies.      In  August,  1740,   he   was   licensed   to 
preach  ;  and  on  the   13th  day  of  October  following,   he 
was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  JVeiV'Brunsnvick.     After  his  ordination,  he  spent 
several  years   in  itinerant  preaching,   in  which  he  was 
more  than  usually  zealous  and  successful.  In  June,  1644, 
he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  church  of 
JVest-JVottingham,  in  Cecil  county,   in  Maryland,   where 
he  continued  to  reside  near  seventeen  years.     Here  he 
established  an  Academy,  which  acquired  and  maintained 
a  high  reputation.     In  this  institution,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Mac- 
nohorter,  Dr.  Rush,  governour  Henry,  oi  Maryland,  col. 
John  Bayard,  and  a  number  of  other   eminently  useful 
cliararters,  received  their  education.     Upon  the  death  of 


08  St.  Georges. 

tervvards  printed,  at  the  request  of  the  congre- 
gation. 

Our  young  Pastor,  after  his  ordination,  im- 
mediate!} entered,  with  ardour  and  dihgeuce,  on 
the  duties  of  his  office.  In  preachi;tg  ;  in  visits 
ing  his  people  ;  in  catechising  the  children,  and 
those  of  riper  years  ;  and  in  all  the  multiplied 
and  arduous  labours  of  a  faithful  minister  of 
Ci.rist,  who  watched  for  souls,  he  abounded. 
]Nor  did  he  labour  in  vain.  The  congregation 
rapidly  increased  ;  a  number  of  hopefui  converts 
were  .n  a  short  time  added  to  the  church  ;  the 
place  of  worship  soon  became  too  small  to  ac- 
commodate the  people,  and  was  enlarged ;  but 
not  long  afterwards,  it  was  still  found  insufficient 
to  contain  the   numbers  who  crowded  to  public 

President  JDavies,  in  i  f  6 1 ,  Dr.  Finley  was  chosen  his  suc- 
cessor, and  removed  to  Princeton  in  the  month  of  July-j 
of  that  year.  He  died  in  Philadelfihia^  whither  he  had 
gone  for  medical  advice,  on  the  17th  day  of  July,  1766, 
in  the  51st  year  of  his  age.  Dr.  Finley  was  a  man  of 
sound  and  vigorous  mind,  of  extensive  learning,  and  of 
unusually  fervent  piety.  He  had  the  ministry  in  view 
from  the  sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  always  adorned  the 
sacred  office.  Seldom  has  a  life  been  more  exemplary 
or  moie  useful;  and  seldom,  very  seldom,  has  a  death 
been  more  joyful  and  triumphant  than  his. 


St,  Georges.  69 

worship,  and  was  again  enlarged ;  while  the 
growing  respect  and  attachment  of  his  people, 
and  the  increasing  confidence  and  esteem  of  his 
fathers  and  brethren  in  the  ministry,  were  pledges 
at  once,  of  his  rising  reputation,  and  of  his  ex- 
lending  usefulness. 

Soon  after  his  settlement  at  St,  George's,  he 
renewed,  in  a  solemn  written  form,  his  self-dedi- 
cation to  God.  When  his  private  papers  were 
examined  after  his  death,  a  document  or  this  na- 
ture was  found  among  them,  bearing  date  a 
short  time  after  his  ordination.  It  is  drawn  up 
on  what  may  be  supposed  to  be  the  usual  plan 
of  such  instruments ;  and  is  in  no  respect  re- 
markable, excepting  for  the  humility  and  the  de- 
\o\\i  fervour  of  its  style.  From  the  same  source 
it  is  ascertained,  that  he  made  a  formal  written 
renewal  of  this  dedication  at  least  thirty-one 
times,  after  the  first  that  appears  on  record*  ;  the 
last  beino^  about  three  years  before  his  death. 
Ali  these  papers  appear  to  have  been  drawn  up, 
and  the  transactions  which  they  express,  to  have 
taken  place,  on  days  of  fasting  and  special  pray- 
er,  seasons  in  which  he  abounded  through  the 

*  Several  of  the  earlier  of  these   written   renewals  of 
his  covenant  with  God,  are  in  the  Latin  language. 


70  St  Georges, 

whole  of  his  life.  It  was  a  common  remark  of  an? 
old  divine,  that  jirayer  more  than  an}  tiling  else 
makes  a  good  minister.  It  may  be  said,  to  the 
honour  of  the  excellent  Minister,  whose  portrait 
we  are  now  attempting  to  sketch,  that  there  wasi 
no  part  of  his  character  more  conspicuous  than 
his  devotional  spirit.  It  was  habitual  and  uni- 
form. It  shone  in  private,  as  well  as  in  public. 
And  while  he  often  inculcated  on  his  younger 
brethren  in  the  ministry,  the  great  importance  to 
their  comfort  and  usefulness,  of  maintaming  their 
personal  piety  in  a  lively  frame;  he  was  him- 
self one  of  the  most  eminent  examples  of  what 
he  recommended  to  others.  Besides  other 
seasons,  both  of  ordinary  and  special  devotion^ 
he  seldom  failed  to  observe  the  anniversaries  of 
his  Birth,  of  his  Licensure,  and  of  his  Ordina- 
tion, as  days  of  solemn  humiliation,  fasting,  and 
prayer.  And  on  these  occasions  he  was  accus- 
tomed to  commit  to  writing  reflections  and  pray- 
ers^ which  were  found  among  his  papers  after 
his  decease,  and  which  indicate  piety  of  a  very 
fervent  and  elevated  character. 

Besides  his  congregation  in  the  village  of  St 
George  s,  which  was  his  original  and  principal 
charge,  Mr.  Rodgers  also  had  under  his  care  a 


St,  Georges.  71 

small  congi'egation,  near  the  village  of  Middle^ 
town,  in  Delaware,  and  generally  called  "  the 
Forest  congregation  *."  To  the  latter  he  devot- 
ed one  third  part  of  his  stated  labour ;  which, 
though  not  attended  with  such  remarkable  and 
extensive  benefit  as  in  aS'^.  George's,  were  yet  by 
no  means  without  success. 

It  is  interesting  to  observe  how  often  and  how 
remarkably  the  labours  of  one  servant  of  Christ 
are  connected  with  the  history  and  character  of 
another :  thus  evincing  that  every  occurrence, 
however  apparently  trivial,  is  a  part  of  the  great 
system  of  providential  arrangement,  and  is  not 
without  its  importance.  The  first  time,  after  en- 
tering on  his  pastoral  charge,  that  Mr.  Rodders 
assembled  the  children  of  a  particular  district  in. 
his  congregation,  to  catechise  them,  it  was  at 
the  house  of  IVIr.  Hugh  Macivhorter,  a  weal- 
thy and  respectable  planter  in  his  neighbour- 
hood. Tiie  children  were  so  numerous,  that  a 
room  of  ordinary  size  would  not  contain  them ; 
and  it  was  thought  best  to  collect  them  in  a  spa- 
cious barn,  on  the  farm,  and  near  the  dwelHng 
house  of  Mr.  Macwhorter.  Among  the  children 
catechised  on  this   occasion,  was  a  son  of  that 

*  The  Forest  congregation  is  now  nearly  extinct. 


I'Z  St.  Georges^ 

g-entleman,  afterwards  the  Reverend  T>r.  Atexan-^ 
der Macwhorter,  of  Newark^  in  New-Ji^rsey  *.  1  'e 
was  seven  years  young'er  than  Mr.  Rodgers,  and 
at  the  primary  visitation  of  his  youthful  pastor, 
presented  himself  as  a  subject  of  ecclesiastical 
inspection  and  instruction.  The  prudence,  the 
good  sense,  the  readiness  in  reply,  and  the  high- 
ly promising  character  which  this  youth  exhi- 
bited, first  drew  the  attention,  and  afterwards 
the  special  regard  and  friendship  of  Mr.  Rodg" 
ers ;  and  laid  the  foundation  of  an  affectionate 
union  between  them  to  the  end  of  life.  On  the 
one  hand,   Mr.  Rodgers    noticed,    encouraged, 


*  The  Rev.  Alexander  Macivhorter^  D.  D.  was  bora 
in  the  county  oi  JVenv-Castle^  in  the  state  oi  Delaware^ 
July  26,  1734.  He  graduated  at  the  college  of  JsTew-Jer' 
sey^  in  the  year  1757  ;  studied  theology  at  Freehold^  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  Rev.  William  Tennent ;  was  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  and  installed 
pastor  of  the  church  in  J^'ewark^  Keiv-Jersey^  in  .759  ; 
and  died  in  that  town,  July  20,  18u7,  in  the  73d  year  of 
his  age.  Dr.  Macwhorter  was  one  of  the  most  able, 
learned,  venerable,  and  useful  ministers  in  the  American 
church.  His  pious  labours  ;  his  public  spirit ;  his  activi- 
ty in  all  the  great  movements  in  the  religious  denomina- 
tion to  which  he  belonged  ;  and  the  universal  confidence 
which  he  commanded,  will  transmit  his  name  to  posteri- 
ty with  high  honour. 


SL  Georges.  73 

and  directed  young  Macyvhorter  ;  and  on  the 
other,  Mr.  Macwhorter  soon  gratified  his  friend 
and  pastor  by  exhibiting  tliose  pledges  of  future 
eminence  and  usefulness  which  were  aiterw.i-ds 
so  honourably  redeemed.  Ilie^  were  destine  to 
reside  near  each  other,  and  to  act  together,  in 
many  of  the  most  important  affairs  of  the  church, 
for  more  than  forty  years. 

Those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  history  of 
American  ecclesiastical  affairs,  know  that  the 
Presbyterian  church,  at  the  time  when  Mr. 
Hodgers  took  his  station  as  one  of  her  ministers, 
was  divided  into  two  great  parties.  A  v  ery  brief 
account  of  the  causes  and  influence  of  this  divi- 
sion, will  not  only,  it  is  presumed,  gratify  curi- 
osity, but  will  also  throw  light  on  some  events 
which  properly  belong  to  these  memoirs. 

From  the  orisrin  of  the  Presbyterian  church; 
as  an  organized  body,  in  this  country,  the  mate- 
rials of  which  it  was  composed,  and  especially  its 
clerical  materials,  were,  in  a  considerable  degree, 
heterogeneous.  The  principal  constituent  parts 
were,  strict  Presbyterians,  from  Scotland  and 
Ireland;  and    Conyregationalists,    from    South- 

Jiritain  and  JSew-England,     The  former  were 

10 


74  tSt,  Georges. 

desirous  of  establishing  the  system  of  Presbyte- 
rianism  to  which  they  had  been  accustomed  in 
all  its  extent  and  rigour ;  the  latter,  were  willing 
to  bear  the  name,  but  wished  for  many  abate- 
ments and  modifications  of  that  system.  The 
Congregationalists,  and  those  who  sided  with 
them  *,  appear  to  have  been,  generally,  more 
ardent  in  their  piety  than  the  strict  Presbyterians. 
However  this  might  be,  it  is  undoubtedly  a  fact, 
that  they  urged  in  the  judicatories  of  the  church, 
with  peculiar  zeal,  their  wishes,  that  great  care 
should  be  taken  respecting  the  personal  piety  of 
candidates  for  the  holy  ministry ;  and  that  a 
close  examination  on  experimental  religion 
should  always  make  a  part  of  trials  for  licensure 
and  ordination.  The  strict  Presbyterians,  on 
the  one  hand,  were  zealous  for  the  Westminster 
Confession  of  Faith,  Catechisms,  Directory, 
Presbyterial  order,  and  Academical  learning, 
in  the  preachers  of  the  gospel ;  while  they  ap- 
pear to  have  disliked  the  close  examination  con- 
tended for  in  regard  to  personal  piety ;  or,  at 
least,  to  have  disapproved  the  method  in  which  the 
examination  was  conducted,   as  being  different 

*  A  few  of  the  Scotch  and  Irish  and  their  descendants, 
took  this  side  from  the  first,  and  more  after  a  while  ;  par- 
ticularly the  Blairs^  the  Tennents-,  Dr.  Finley^  Sec. 


iSt  George's.  75 

from  any  thing  to  which  they  had  been  accustom- 
ed. On  the  other  hand,  the  Congregationahsts, 
provided  they  were  satisfied  on  the  score  of  per- 
sonal piety,  did  not  set  so  high  a  value  on  hu- 
man learning,  or  require  so  much  of  it  as  indis- 
pensable, in  candidates  for  the  ministry,  as 
their  opponents  contended  for ;  but  were  too  ready 
to  make  abatements  and  to  give  dispensations 
as  to  this  point,  in  violation  of  the  rules  of  Pres- 
byteries and   Synods. 

As  the  leading  objects  to  which  these  parties 
w  ere  severally  attached,  were  reasonable  and  pro- 
per in  themselves,  so  each  had  influence  enough 
to  procure  the  adoption  of  its  favourite  measure 
by  the  Synod  *.  In  1729,  in  consequence  of  an 
Overture  dra\vn  up,  and  prosecuted  with  great 
zeal,  the  year  before,  by  the  Reverend  John 
TJwmpson,  of  Lewis-town,  in  Delaware,  the  Sy- 
nod passed  what  was   called  "    The  Adoptincj 


"*  The  first  Synod  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Ame- 
rica was  formed  in  1716,  and  was  called  the  Synod  of 
Philadelfihia.  It  consisted  oifour  Presbyteries,  viz.  the 
Presbytery  oi  Philadelfihia^  the  Presbytery  of  Aew-Caa- 
tle^  the  Presbytery  of  Snow-Hilly  and  the  Presbytery  of 
Lo7ig'Island. 


76  SL  Georges. 

Act.''  This  Act  consisted  of  a  public,  authorita- 
tive adoption  of  the  11  esf minster  Confession  of 
Faith,  Catechisms,  S^c.  as  the  Confession  of  Faith 
of  the  Church;  and  made  it  necessary,  that  not 
only  every  candidate,  but  also  every  actual  mi- 
nister, in  the  church,  should  be  obliged,  by  sub- 
scription or  otherwise,  coram  Presbt/terio,  to  ac- 
knowledge these  instruments  respectively  as  the 
coniession  of  their  faith.  This  Act,  though  it 
did  not  pass  without  much  opposition  *,  appears 
to  have  been  adopted  by  a  large  majority,  and 
was,  at  length,  peaceably  acquiesced  in  by  all. 

In  1734,  an  Overture  was  brought  into  Synod, 
concerning  the  trials  of  candidates  for  the  minis- 
try ;  directmg,  that  "  all  candidates  for  the  minis- 
"  try  be  examined  diligently  as  to  their  expe- 
"  rience  of  a  work  of  sanctifying  grace  on  their 
"  hearts ;  and  that  none  be  admitted  who  are 
"  not,  in  a  judgment  of  charity,  serious  chris- 
"  tians."      This  overture    was   adopted   unani- 

*  It  was  particularly  opposed  by  those  members  of  the 
Synod  who  had  come  from  England,  Wales,  and  the 
JVew-England  colonies.  Mr.  Dickinson,  of  Elizabeth" 
Tonvn,  took  the  lead  in  this  opposition,  and  appeared  as  a 
•writer  on  the  subject.  He  was  answered  by  Mr.  Thomfi^ 
son. 


St.  Georges.  77 

mously ;  but  became  a  source  of  great  uneasi- 
ness  within  a  few  years  afterwards. 

These  two  Acts  embraced  the  favourite  objects 
of  each  party.  But  the  manner  of  executing  them 
gave  rise  to  the  principal  difficulty.  In  the  several 
Presbyteries,  according  as  the  one  party  or  the 
other  was  a  majority,  they  practised  pretty  much 
agreeably  to  their  own  views ;  and  this  was  the 
source  of  much  contention  and  debate,  when  the 
parties  met  in  Synod ;  each  charging  the  other, 
and  commonly  with  justice,  for  some  violation, 
in  the  several  Presbyteries,  of  the  orders  of  Sy- 
nod. 

In  1738,  the  Synod  passed  an  Act,  directing 
that  young  men  be  first  examined,  respecting 
their  literature,  by  a  commission  of  Synod, 
"  and  obtain  a  testimony  of  their  approbation, 
"  before  they  "can  be  taken  on  trial  by  any  Pres- 
"  bytery."  The  Presbytery  of  New- Brunswick 
first  met  on  the  8th  of  August,  in  this  year,  and 
immediately,  "  for  several  weighty  and  suffi- 
"  cient  reasons,"  took  Mr.  Jolm  Rowland  on 
trials,  contrary  to  the  above  Act,  and  proceeded 
to  license  him  in  September  following.  Two 
vacant  Congregations  in  New-Jersey,  under  the 


78  SL  Georges. 

care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  which 
had  given  them  leave  to  invite  any  regular  can- 
didate to  preach  for  them,  requested  Mr.  Row- 
lands  services,  who,  having*  obtained  the  con- 
sent of  his  own  Presbytery,  preached  for  them 
one  sabbath.  The  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia 
immediately  met,  pro  re  nata,  and  unanimously 
declared,  that  *'  they  could  not  accept  of  Mr. 
^^  Rowland  as  an  orderly  licensed  preacher,  nor 
"  approve  of  his  preaching  in  any  of  the  vacan- 
"  cies  within  their  bounds." 


In  1739,  the  Synod  declared,  that  Mr.  Roiv- 
land  could  not  be  allowed  as  a  reg-ular  candi- 
date.  Notwithstanding  this,  however,  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Tennent,  the  elder,,  introduced  him  into  his 
pulpit ;  and  when  some  of  his  congregation 
complained  of  this  act  to  the  Presbytery  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, Mr.  Tennent  justified  his  conduct; 
disclaimed  the  authority  of  Presbytery  in  the  case, 
and  "  contemptuously  withdrew."  The  Pres- 
bytery censured  his  conduct  as  "  irregular  and 
disorderly."  This  took  place  in  September, 
1739.  In  the  month  of  October  following,  the 
Presbytery  of  New- Brunswick  ordained  Mr. 
Rowland ;  and  he  continued  a  member  of  that 
Presbytery  until  the  month  of  November,  1742, 


St.  Georges,  79 

when  he  was  dismissed  to  join  the  Presbytery 
of  New-Castle.  Every  thing  of  this  kind  served, 
of  course,  to  exasperate  feelings  previously  ex- 
cited, and  to  lay  a  train  of  combustible  materials, 
ready  to  be  kindled  into  a  flame,  whenever  an 
occasion  occurred. 

While  things  were  in  this  state,  Mr.  White^ 
field,  in  1739,  paid  his  second  visit  to  America. 
The  extensive  and  glorious  revival  of  religion 
which  took  place  under  his  ministry,  and  that  of 
his  clerical  advocates  and  adherents,  is  well 
known.  The  friends  of  this  revival  generally  co- 
incided with  that  portion  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  which  was  most  friendly  to  ardent  piety, 
and  least  zealous  for  strict  presbyterial  order,  and 
literai-y  qualifications  in  the  ministry.  While  the 
strict  Presbyterian  party,  perceiving  some  really 
censurable  irregularities  in  the  active  friends  and 
promoters  of  the  revival,  were  too  ready  to  pro- 
nounce the  whole  a  delusion*.     This  brought 

*  A  diversity  of  sentiment,  concerning  the  character 
and  ministrations  of  Mr.  JVhiteJield^  arose,  about  the  same 
time,  in  the  Congregational  churches  of  the  Eastern 
colonies.  Such  men  as  Dr.  Colman^  Mr.  Foxcroft, 
Dr.  Seivall,  Mr.  Prince^  Mr,  Edivards^  and  a  number 
more,   who  were    the    glory  of  J\''e-:V'£7ig'iand,  though 


80  iSt,  Georges, 

on  the  crisis.  Animosities  which  had  long  beea 
burning  in  secret,  now  burst  into  a  flame.  The 
Old  Side,  (as  the  strict  Presb}'terians  were  call- 
ed,) regarded  the  New  Side,  or  New  Lights,  (as 
the  others  were  denominated,)  as  a  set  of  extra- 
vagant and  ignorant  enthusiasts  :  while  the  Neiv 
Lights  considered  the  men  of  the  Old  Side,  as  a 
set  of  Pharisaical  formalists.     Undue  warmth  of 

they   reprobated   and    opposed    certain    extravagancies 
which  they  witnessed ;  thought  it  their  duty  to   express 
«  their  full  persuasion,  that  there  had  been  a  happy  and 
*'  remarkable  revival  of  religion,  in  many  parts  of  the 
"  land,  through  an  uncommon  divine  influence."    While 
Dr.   Chauncey,    and     some  others    of    more     orthodox 
character,   were    so    deeply  impressed   with    the     cir- 
cumstances  of    disorder    which    attended  the    revival, 
that   they  condemned  the  whole  work,  as  mere   wild- 
fire and  enthusiasm,   and  made  the    most  determined 
opposition  to  Mr.  Whitejield  and  his  adherents.  President 
Cla^iy  though  a  Calvinist,  and  a  friend  to  vital  religion, 
also   imbibed  a  strong  prejudice  against  the  labours  of 
Whitejield,  and  took  the  side  of  opposition.     The  Legis- 
lature of  Connecticut  passed  a  law,  about  this  time,  pro- 
hibiting  itinerant  preachers  from  entering  parishes  in 
which  a  minister  was  settled,  unless  by  his  consent.  For 
violating  this  law,  by  preaching   to  a  congregation    in 
JSTenv-Haven,  the    Reverend   Doctor  Finley,    afterwards 
President  Finley,  was   arrested  by   the  civil   authority,- 
and  carried,  as  a  vagrant,  out  of  the  colony. 


SL  George's,  81 

feeling"  and  speech,  and  improper  inferences, 
were  admitted  on  both  sides.  One  act  of  vio- 
lence led  to  another.  Until,  at  length,  in  1741, 
the  hig-hest  judicatory  of  the  church  was  rent 
in  twain;  and  the  Synod  of  Netv-York  was  set 
up  in  a  sort  of  opposition  to  that  of  PldladeU 
phia.  Among  the  most  active  and  conspicuous 
members  of  the  former,  were,  the  Tennents,  the 
Blairs,  Mr.  Dickinson,  Mr.  Pierson,  of  Wood-^ 
hridge,  Dr.  Finley,  and  Mr.  Burr,  Among  the 
leaders  of  the  latter,  were  Messrs.  John  and  Sa- 
muel Thompson,  Dr.  Francis  Allison,  Mr,  Robert 
Cross,  and  several  others*. 

In  fomenting  this  division,  there  is  some  rea- 
son to  believe,  that  rivalship  between  different 
Liter  art/  Institutions,  patronized  by  the  parties 
respectively,  was  not  without  its  influence.    This 

*  It  ought  to  be  noticed,  that  some  expedient  and  ju- 
4flicious  ministers,  believing  both  sides  to  be  in  the 
wrong,  could  not  fully  agree  with  either.  These  took 
no  part  in  the  controversy,  as  such ;  were  sometimes 
claimed  by  both  parties ;  and  took  that  standing  in  Pres- 
bytery and  Synod  which  was  most  convenient  from  local 
circumstances.  And  even  some  of  those  who  were  rank- 
ed  by  themselves,  as  well  as  by  others,  with  one  or  the 
other  of  the  parties  respectively,  disapproved  of  mticjj 
that  they  saw  in  both. 

11 


82  St.  George  o, 

rivalship  certainly  rose  very  high  after  the  sepa- 
ration, and  did  not  wholly  disappear  for  a  con- 
siderable time  after  the  re-union.  All  the  ori- 
ginal patrons  of  New-Jersey  College  belonged 
to  the  New  Side  ;  while  their  opponents  declar- 
ed in  favour  of  the  celebrated  academies  of 
NeW'Londofi  and  Newark,  under  the  direction 
of  Dr.  Allison,  and  Mr.  Mc  JDowell,  and  the 
College  and  Academy  of  Philadelphia. 

In  this  controversy  there  were,  undoubtedly, 
faults  on  both  sides.  This,  mdeed,  some  of  the 
most  zealous  actors  in  the  scene  were  candid 
enough  to  acknowledge,  after  union  was  restor- 
ed; and  severely  censured  themselves.  The 
Old  Side  were  wrong  in  opposing  the  revival  of 
religion  under  the  ministry  of  Whitejield  and 
his  friends^;  and  in  contending  against  examina- 
tions on  personal  piety  :  while  the  New  Side 
were  wrong  in  violating  Presbyterial  order;  in 
undervaluing  literary  qualifications  for  the  holy 
mmistry ;  and  in  giving  countenance  to  some 
real  extravagancies  w  hich  attended  the  revival 
of  religion. 

These  errors  were  afterwards  seen  and  la- 
mented.    The  parties  gradually  cooled.      Both 


St,  Georges,  83 

became  sensible  that  they  had  acted  rashly  and 
uncharitably.  Both  felt  the  inconvenience,  as 
well  as  the  sin,  of  division.  Congregations  were 
divided.  Two  places  of  worship,  and  two  mi- 
nisters, were  established  in  places  where  there 
was  not  support  for  one.  The  members  of  one  Sy* 
nod  were  excluded  from  i  he  pulpits  of  the  other  5 
and  this  was  the  case  even  when  individuals  cor- 
dially respected,  and  wished  to  invite  each  other 
to  an  interchange  of  ministerial  services.  Still, 
although  both  parties  soon  became  heartily  sick 
of  the  division,  the  Synods  remained  divided 
for  seventeen  years.  The  first  overture  towards 
a  union  appears  to  have  been  made  by  the  Sy- 
nod of  New-York,  in  the  year  1749.  But  nine 
years  were  spent  in  negociation.  At  length, 
mutual  concessions  were  made;  the  articles 
of  union  in  detail  were  agreed  upon ;  and  the  Sy- 
nods were  happily  united,  under  the  title  of  "  the 
"  Synod  of  New-York  and  Jh'hiladelphia,''  in 
the  year  1758. 

In  contemplating  this  controversy  and  divi- 
sion, at  the  present  period,  when  the  lapse  of 
more  than  half  a  century  has  allayed  the  heat, 
and  removed  the  prejudices,  which  then  agitat- 
ed and  rent  the  church ;  although  we  see  much 


84  St  Georges, 

to  lament  and  to  reprobate ;  we  see  also  some- 
thing' to  inspire  thankfulness.  The  King*  of  Zion 
brings  good  out  of  evil.  One  of  these  parties 
was  undoubtedly  made  the  means  of  preservmg 
the  vital  piety,  and  the  other,  the  learning  and 
order  of  our  Church  :  blessings  worth  contend- 
ing for,  and  seldom  maintained  without  many 
struggles.     May  they  increase,  and  be  perpetual ! 

Mr.  Rodger s  was  ordained  in  1749,  as  be- 
fore stated,  when  the  division  had  existed  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  when  the  heat  of  separa- 
tion had,  in  some  degree,  abated.  He  took  his 
stand,  with  decision,  on  the  Nerv  Side,  in  compa- 
ny with  the  Blair s,  the  Finleys,  the  Tennents, 
and  others,  his  intimate  friends.  And  although 
he  never  approved  of  violence,  and  never  counte- 
nanced extravagance  or  disorder ;  though  he 
cultivated  sincere  and  affectionate  friendship 
with  individuals  of  the  other  party ;  and  freely 
acknowledged  the  errors  of  some  with  whom  he 
commonly  acted ;  yet  he  maintained  the  charac- 
ter of  a  staunch  JS'ew  Side  man,  as  long  as  the 
distinction  lasted.  He  was  of  that  part  of  the 
Presbytery  of  JSew- Castle,  which  met  with,  and 
was  always  considered  as  a  constituent  branch  of, 
the  Synod  of  New-York,    He  rejoiced,  however,, 


St,  Georges.  85 

in  the  union,  which  took  place  when  he  had 
been  about  nine  years  in  the  ministry  ;  and  was 
ever  esteemed  a  lover,  and,  as  far  as  possible, 
without  a  dereliction  of  principle,  a  promoter,  of 
peace. 

It  will  be  seen  that  Mr.  Rodders  entered  on 
the  pastoral  office  at  a  very  early  period  of  life. 
But  though  his  age  and  his  appearance  were  ex- 
tremely youthful ;  yet  the  uncommon  prudence 
and  dignity  of  his  manners  in  private  inter- 
course ;  the  devoted  engagedness  in  the  duties 
of  his  office,  which  he  manifested  from  the  first ; 
the  fervent  piety  of  his  discourses ;  and  the  ani- 
mated, bold,  and  commanding  style  of  his  ad- 
dress in  the  pulpit,  were  above  his  years.  It  was 
long  ago  said,  by  an  illustrious  heathen,  Non  po- 
test in  eo  siiccus  esse  diuturnus,  quod  nimis  celeri- 
ter  maturitatem  est  assecutus  * ;  and  by  an- 
other, Nullus  est  et  diuturnus  et  prcecox  fruc- 
ills  t :  the  spirit  of  both  which  maxims  is  con- 
veyed in  the  English  proverb,  soon  ripe,  soon 
rotten.  This  proverb  was  actually  applied 
to  Mr.  Rodgers,  soon  after  his  settlement  at  St, 
George  s,  by  a  distinguished  layman,  who  hap» 
pened  to  hear  one  of  the  most  judicious,  elevated, 

*  Cicero.  t  Curtius. 


86  St.  Georges. 

and  forcible  specimens  of  his  eloquence. — 
But  happily  the  calculation  was  erroneous.  His 
fruit  did  not  early  decay,  neither  did  his  leaf 
prematurely  wither.  For  more  than  sixty  years, 
after  this  prediction,  he  was  destined  to  adorn 
and  to  bless  the  garden  of  God. 

Of  the  general  acceptance  and  usefulness  of 
Mr.  Rodgers  ministry  at  St,  George  s,  the  fol- 
lowing Letter,  from  the  Reverend  Mr.  Latta,  of 
JNeW'Castle,  will  give  a  satisfactory  view.  It 
was  originally  communicated,  indeed,  by  the  wri- 
ter, under  the  expectation  that  the  materials 
which  it  furnished  would  be  exhibited  in  another 
form  :  but  it  is  so  judicious  and  comprehensive, 
that  the  reader  will,  no  doubt,  prefer  seeing  it 
without  alteration. 

Christiana  Village,  10th  July,  1811. 

Rev.  and  dear  Brother, 

AgTeeably  to  your  request,  I  have  made  in- 
quiry of  Mr.  Vandegrift  and  others,  in  the  con- 
gregation of  St.  Georges,  with  a  view  to  collect 
some  materials  for  your  proposed  account  of  the 


St  Georges.  8? 

life  and  character  of  your  late  excellent  col- 
league, the  Rev.  Doctor  Rodders,  In  conse- 
quence of  the  great  lapse  of  time  since  the  Doc- 
tor's settlement  in  that  congi-egation,  I  have 
been  able  to  collect  but  very  few  particulars. 
The  following,  though  much  less  than  I  could 
wish,  must  be  accepted  as  the  result  of  my  in- 
quiries. 

Dr.  Rodgers  settled  in  the  congregation  of 
St,  Georges  about  the  year  1748,  and  continued 
with  them  sixteen  years.  Antecedently  to  his 
settlement  with  them,  a  revival  of  relio:ion  had  ta- 
ken  place  in  the  congregation,  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  the  preaching  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  i?o- 
hinson,  and  the  celebrated  Whitefield.  Mr.  Ro- 
hinson  was  their  first  pastor,  and  the  immediate 
predecessor  of  Dr.  Rodgers.  This  revival  con- 
siderably increased  during  the  Doctor's  pastoral 
labours.  His  audiences  were  generally  crowded, 
solenm,  and  attentive.  In  consequence  of  the 
number  attending  public  worship,  it  became  ne- 
cessary to  make  a  considerable  addition  to  their 
house  of  worship ;  and  even  after  the  building 
was  enlarged,  the  aisles,  the  doors,  and  even  the 
windows,   were  frequently  filled   with  auaitors. 


8.8  St.  Georges^ 

Such  was  the  zealous,  animated,  and  popular^ 
character  of  the  Doctor  s  preaching",  that  he 
drew  people  of  all  denominations  to  hear  him ; 
and,  ultimately,  his  popularity  so  far  prevailed^ 
that  an  Episcopal  church  which  stood  near  the 
village  of  St,  Georges,  was  deserted ;  the  con- 
gregation became  extinct ;  and  the  scite  of  their 
house  of  worship  is  now  only  known  by  the  mo- 
numents of  the  dead.  Several  who  were  Epis- 
copalians when  the  Doctor  settled  at  ^S'^  Georges, 
connected  themselves  with  his  church ;  and  their 
descendants  are  Presbyterians,  and  belong  to 
that  church,  to  the  present  day.  This  excellent 
man  preached,  not  only  at  St,  George  s,  but  also 
a  part,  perhaps  one  third  of  his  time,  at  what  was 
called  the  Forest  Church,  near  Middletown. 

Dr.  Rodgers  was  an  animated  and  fervent 
preacher.  He  seldom  preached  without  weep- 
ing himself;  and  generally  melted  his  audience 
into  tears.  But  he  was  more  than  a  good  preach- 
er ;  he  was  a  zealous,  vigilant,  and  faithful  pas- 
tor. He  regularly,  besides  holding  annual  dis- 
trict examinations  on  religious  subjects,  paid  a 
pastoral  visit,  yearly,  to  every  family  in  his  con- 
gregation. On  these  occasions  he  called  upon 
every  member  of  the  family  to  repeat  a  part  of 


^i.  Georges,  89 

the  Assembly's  catechism ;  asked  them  a  number 
of  extempore  questions  on  doctrinal  and  practi- 
cal subjects  in  religion  3  prayed  with  them  ;  and 
gave  a  warm  and  pathetic  exhortation.  Through 
a  blessing,  most  probably  upon  these  exercises, 
there  was  then  at  least  the  form  of  relig^ion  in  al- 
most  every  family.  In  them  the  morning  and 
evening  sacrifices  of  prayer  were  regularly  offer- 
ed. Every  house,  with  very  few  exceptions,  ap- 
peared to  be  a  Bethel,  a  house  of  God.  At  the 
present  time,  in  that  vicinity,  not  one  family, 
perhaps,  in  twenty,  exhibits  even  the  form  of  re- 
ligion in  their  house.  The  Doctor  was  particu- 
lar too,  on  all  occasions,  in  administering  pri- 
vate rebukes  to  the  disorderly,  and  especially  to 
the  intemperate ;  and  generally,  even  in  his  com- 
mon visits  of  friendship  or  business,  it  was  his 
custom  to  speak  a  word  in  season,  which  he  hop- 
ed might  prove  a  savour  of  life  to  those  who 
heard  it. 

In  1751,  Dr.  Rodger s  circulated  a  subscrip- 
tion paper  through  his  congregations,  with  a 
view  to  raising  a  permanent  fund  for  their  use. 
That  it  might  accumulate,  he  would  not,  for 
several  years,   receive  the  interest  of  this  fund, 

though  it  was  raised  principally  with  a  view  that 

12 


m  St:  GeOrye$, 

the  stated  pastor  might  enjoy  the  benefit  of  the 
annual  proceeds.  To  this  fund,  humanly  speak- 
ing, the  congreg-ation  of  St,  Georges  now  owe 
the  stated  preaching  of  the  Gospel  among  them;, 
for  without  it  they  could  not  pay  their  propor- 
tion for  the  support  of  a  pastor,  for  even  a  small 
part  of  his  ministerial  labours.  Dr.  HodgerSy 
therefore,  though  long  since  removed  from  them, 
and  now  dead,  may  be  said  to  be  preaching  to 
that  people ;  not  only  by  his  many  pious,  pathe- 
tic instructions ;  but  also  by  laying  up  in  store 
the  means  of  supporting  a  preacher  to  break  to 
them  the  bread  of  life.  What  a  striking  proof  is 
this  of  the  propriety,  (and  what  an  encourage- 
ment to  those  who  are  thus  engaged,)  of  adopt- 
ing and  pursuing  measures  which  are  calculated 
to  be  permanently  useful,  and  especially  to  the 
church !  How  pleasing  the  thought,  that  even 
after  they  are  dead,  and  their  bodies,  which  had 
been  engaged  in  the  important  object,  have 
mouldered  into  dust ;  the  seed  which  they  had 
sown  will  be  bringing  forth  abundant  fruit  in 
the  salvation  of  souls,  and  to  the  glory  of  God  ! 

So  much  was  Dr.  Hodgers  respected  and  be- 
loved by  the  people  of  St.  George's,  that  they 
parted  with  him  with  the  utmost  reluctance,  and 


St,  Georges,  91 

the  deepest  sorrow.  Even  after  an  application 
had  been  made  to  the  Presbytery  for  the  dissolu-e 
tion  of  the  pastoral  relation  subsisting  between 
him  and  them,  a  reference  was  made  of  the  sub- 
ject to  the  Synod,  with  a  view  to  arrest  the  pro- 
iieedings,  and  continue  the  relation.  After  the 
dissolution  had  taken  place,  and  the  day  arrived 
for  the  Doctor  to  preach  his  farewell  sermon,  the 
moment  he  rose  in  the  pulpit,  a  paroxysm  of  grief 
seized  every  heart,  and  the  swollen  tear  stood  in 
every  eye.  The  impression  was  felt  by  every 
individual,  that  although  they  were  about  to  hear 
him  preach,  he  was  no  longer  their  pastor,  and 
they  should  never  more  hear  him  as  such ;  and 
they  son^owed  most  of  all,  because  they  should 
see  his  face  as  their  preacher  no  more.  The  so- 
lemnity of  the  silence  which  generally  prevailed 
during  the  preaching  of  this  discourse,  was  only 
exceeded  by  the  audible  expressions  of  bitter 
lamentation,  which  now  and  then  issued  from 
every  quarter  of  the  church.  Every  head  was 
bowed  down  with  grief,  and  every  heaii:  bled 
with  sorrow. 

After  Dr.  Rodgers  left  St.  George  s,  the  Rev, 
Mr.  Spencer^  a  zealous  and  animated  preacher, 
settled  there,  and  continued  four  yours.     Dur« 


92  St,  Georges. 

mg  his  continuance,  the  congregation  was  near-^ 
ly  as  large  and  prosperous  as  it  was  whilst  Dr. 
Hodgers  was  their  pastor.  The  first  symptom 
of  their  decline  was  the  departure  of  some  of  the 
people  from  the  church,  before  the  afternoon 
service  *.  When  Dr.  Rodgers  preached  there, 
none  of  the  people  thought  of  withdrawing  till 
the  whole  service  of  the  day  was  concluded. 
In  consequence  of  this  disposition  in  the  people, 
to  leave  the  church  between  sermons,  increasing, 
they  have  had  generally,  for  a  long  time,  but 
one  sermon  preached  on  the  sabbath. 

Upon  Mr.  Spencer  leaving  the  congregation 
of  St,  Georges,  it  began  rapidly  to  decline,  and 

*  This  is  neither  a  neiv  nor  a  solitary  fact.  Perhaps 
there  is  no  symptom  of  decline  in  religion  moj^e  common 
or  more  infallible.  It  may  be  safely  asserted,  that  no  in- 
dividual, in  whom  the  religious  principle  was  strong  and 
lively,  ever  habitually  neglected  a  second  service  on  the 
I^ord's  day,  when  it  was  in  his  power  to  attend  upon  it : 
and  that  church  in  which  there  is  a  prevailing  negligence 
of  the  public  worship  of  God  on  sabbath  afternoons,  may 
with  confidence  be  pronounced  to  be  languid  and  declin- 
ing in  its  spiritual  condition.  The  excellent  minister 
ivhose  memory  we  are  endeavouring  to  honour,  when-* 
ever  he  remarked  a  circumstance  of  this  kind,  as  existing 
in  any  church,  always  lamented  over  it,  as  a  sympton\ 
highly  imfavourable  and  distressing  in  its  indications. 


St  George's.  '      93 

}ias  ever  since  continued  to  decline,  till  within 
these  two  years,  during  which  time  it  has  some- 
what revived,  in  consequence  of  enjojdng  a  part 
of  the  stated  ministerial  labours  of  the  Reverend 
Samuel  Bell,  who  is  a  warm  and  animated 
preacher. 

Thus  you  have  ascertained,  that  Doctor  Rodg- 
ers  was  much  respected  by  the  congregation  of 
St,  Georges ;  that  his  labours  were  greatly  bless- 
ed to  them  ;  and  that  bv  his  removal  from  them 
they  sustained  a  severe  loss,  and  experienced  a 
shock  from  which  they  have  never  yet  recover- 
ed ;  and  perhaps  never  will  recover,  till  the  ge- 
neral effusion  of  the  Spirit  take  place,  when 
"  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the 
f'  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea." 

Your  very  respectful  and  affectionate 
brother  in  the  Gospel, 
Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Miller,         John  E.  Latta. 

On  the  19th  day  of  September,  1752,  between 
three  and  four  years  after  his  settlement  at  St. 
George  s,  Mr.  Rodgers  formed  a  mairimonial 
connexion  with  Miss  Elizabeth  Bayard,  the 
eldest  daughter  of  Colonel  Peter  Bayard,  of  Cecil 


94  St.  Georges. 

County,  in  Maryland.  In  his  alliance  with  that 
lady,  and  her  family,  which  was  one  of  the  most 
respectable  for  piety,  wealth,  and  influence,  in 
that  part  of  the  then  American  colonies,  he 
found  much  happiness.  She  was  a  woman  of 
excellent  understanding,  of  eminent  piety  and 
prudence,  and  proved  truly  a  "  help  meet''  for 
him.  By  her  he  had  four  children ;  two  sons 
and  two  daughters.  Of  these  one  son  and  one 
daughter  died  in  infancy ;  the  others  yet  sur- 
vive *, 

In  the  year  1753,  the  Reverend  Messrs.  Sanm- 
el  Davies,  of  Virginia,  and  Gilbert  Tennent,  of 
Philadelphia,  were  appointed  by  the  Synod  of 
New-York,  at  the  request  of  the  Trustees  of 
New-Jersey  college,  to  visit  Great-Britain,  for 
the  purpose  of  soliciting  donations  for  the  support 
of  that  college.  During  their  absence,  of  more 
than  a  year,  on  this  mission,  their  respective  pul- 
pits were  supplied  by  order  of  the  Synod.  Mr. 
Hodgers  was  sent,  by  that  body,  in  the  spring  of 

*  Pr.  John  R.  B.  Rodgers,  an  eminent  Physician  of 
J\/'€w-York,  and,  for  a  number  of  years,  one  of  the  medical 
professors  of  Columbia  College  ;  and  Mrs.  Susannah 
Tennent,  relict  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  William  M,  Tennent, 
of  Abington^  Pennsylvania, 


St  George  S4  9j 

1754,  to  supply  the  pulpit  of  Mr.  Davies.     He 
remained  in  Virginia  several  months,  preaching 
with  great  assiduity  and  acceptance.     Recollect- 
ing the  unpleasant  treatment  which  he  had  re- 
ceived from  the  government  of  that  colony,  six 
years  before,  he  was  not  without  apprehensions 
of  having  some  difficulty,  of  a  troublesome,  if  not 
of  an  insurmountable  kind,  again  thrown  in  his 
way.     In  this,  however,  he   was   agreeably  dis- 
appointed.    He   was  permitted  to  fulfil  his  mis- 
sion   without   any  serious  molestation.      There 
were,  indeed,  threats  of  prosecution  thrown  out 
from  pretty  respectable  quarters,  and  in  a  tone 
of  apparent  determination  ;  but  they  were  never 
executed.     Presbyterianism  by  this  time  had  be- 
come better  known,  and  more  respected.     Nor 
was  there  wanting  an  influence  in  its  favour,  in 
the  person  of  the  chief  magistrate  himself.     The 
Governor's  chair  was  then  filled  by  IVIr.  Dlmvid- 
die,  a  Scotch  gentleman,  who  had  been  bred  a 
Presbyterian,  and  who  had  married  a  sister  of 
the  Reverend  IMr.   Mc  Culloch,  the  celebrated 
minister  of  the  church  of  Camhuslang,  in  Scot- 
land.     By  him   IMr.  JRodgers  was   treated   with 
marked  politeness ;  as   he   also  was  by  several 
other  persons  of  distinction  in  the  colony.     After 
a  pleasant  and  profitable  tour,  he  returned  about 
the  middle  of  the  smnmer  to  St.  Georges, 


S6  St  Georges, 

Mr.  Hodgers  character  as  a  preacher  and  pas- 
tor was  soon  so  extensively  known,  and  so  high= 
ly  esteemed,  that  toward  the  close  of  the  same 
year,  (1754,)  he  received  a  very  urgent  and 
affectionate  invitation  from  the  church  in  New- 
York,  to  pay  it  a  visit,  with  a  view  to  settlement. 
That  church  had  become  recently  vacant,  by  the 
removal  of  Dr.  Pemherton  and  Mr.  Cmnmingy 
its  collegiate  pastors  ;  and  was  in  a  state  of  un- 
happy disunion  and  ferment.  Its  leading  mem- 
bers entertained  a  hope  that  the  popularity  of  Mr. 
Modgers  might  be  the  means  of  healing  their  di- 
visions, and  restoring  comfort  to  their  church. 
Considering  that  he  had  never,  at  that  time, 
been  in  New-}  or k,  and  was,  personally,  an  entire 
stranger  to  all  the  members  of  the  church  there, 
this  invitation  undoubtedly  carried  with  it  a  high 
testimony  of  respect.  But  feeling  himself  hap- 
py with  an  affectionate  people ;  animated  with 
his  prospects  of  usefulness  among  them;  and 
unwilling  to  exchange  these  for  an  experiment 
of  doubtful  issue,  in  a  strange  place,  he  sent 
a  negative  answer  to  the  invitation  by  the 
commissioner  who  delivered  it* 

About  the  3  ear  1755,  a  curious  circumstance 
occurred,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  aS'^  George's, 


St.  George's,  97 

\vhich,  as  it  was  connected  with  the  subject  of 
these  Memoirs,  and  has  never  been  communicat- 
ed to  the  pubUc,  may,   with  propriety,   find  a 
place  in  this  volume.     Mr.  Hugh  Knox,  a  na- 
tive of  Ireland,   and  afterwards  a  distinofuished 
Presbyterian  minister  in  the  Island  of  St.  Croixj 
came  to  America,  quite  a  youn^  man,  about  the 
year  1753  or  1754.     He  immediately  waited  on 
his  countryman,  the  Reverend  Dr.  Francis  Alli- 
son, then  residing  at  New-London,  in  Pennsylva- 
nia, to  whom  he  had  letters,  and  in  whose  aca- 
demy he  hoped  to  find  employment  as  a  teach- 
er.    Dr.  Allison,  not  being   able  to   give  him  a 
place  in  his  seminary,  furnished  him  with  a  let- 
ter to  Mr.  Rodger s,  requesting  his  good  offices 
in  endeavouring  to  procure  a  grammar-school 
for  the  young  stranger,  within  the  bounds  of  his 
parish.    Mr.  Rodgers  soon  succeeded  in  forming 
a  respectable  school^  at  the  Head  of  Bohemia, 
about  ten  miles  from  St.  Georges,   at  the  head 
of  which   Mr.  Knox   was   comfortably  placed. 
He  continued  to  preside   over  this  school  for 
more  than  a  year ;  and,  having  received  a  good 
classical  education  in   his   own  country ;    being 
remarkably  prepossessing  in  his  personal  appear- 
ance and  manners;  and  attending  with    great 

assiduity  to  the  duties  of  his  station,  he  soon  bcr, 

13 


lib  St.  George's 

came  much  esteemed  among  his  emj)loyers  ;  and 
was  considered  as  most  agreeably  settled.  He 
attended  public  worship,  with  great  punctuality, 
at  Mr.  Rodijers  lower,  or  Forest  church,  near 
Middletorvn,  and  looked  up  to  the  pastor  as  his 
patron  and  friend. 

Things  had  been  going  on  in  this  happy  and 
promising  manner  for  a  number  of  months,  when 
a  sudden  reverse  occurred.  Mr.  Knoxy  though 
a  respectful  attendant  on  public  worship,  and 
a  young  man,  hitherto,  of  decent  morals,  had 
manifested  nothing*  like  real  piety.  He  was 
accustomed,  every  Saturday  afternoon,  to  meet 
some  gay  companions,  at  the  tavern  of  a  Mr. 
J\  itherspoon,  near  the  place  of  his  residence, 
with  whom  he  passed  several  hours,  at  fii'st  with 
decency  and  temperance ;  but,  alter  a  while,  not 
so  entirely  in  this  manner,  as  could  have  beeii 
wished.  On  a  certam  Saturday  afternoon,  when 
Knox  and  his  companions  had  been  diverting 
themselves  in  their  usual  way,  some  of  the  com- 
pany said  to  him,  "  Come,  parson,"  (a  title 
which  they  gave  him  on  account  of  his  being  the 
most  grave  of  their  number,  and  a  great  admirer 
of  Mr.  Uodfjers,)  "  Come,  parson,  give  us  a  ser- 
'*  mon."     He  declined.     They  urged  him.     He  , 


St,  Georges,  99 

still  resisted.  At  length,  however,  overcome  by 
their  importunity,  and  probably  excited,  in  some 
deg-ree,  by  drink,  he  said,  "  Well,  come,  I  will 
*^  give  you  the  sermon  which  Mr.  Rodgers 
<^  preached  last  simday."  Mr.  Rodgers  had 
preached  on  the  preceding  sabbath,  from  2  Cor, 
V.  20.  and  had  given  an  unusually  solemn  and 
excellent  discourse.  Mr,  Knox,  having  a  good 
memory,  a  flexible  voice,  and  great  powers  of 
imitation,  was  enabled,  not  only  to  recollect  and 
repeat  the  substance  of  the  discourse,  as  he  actu- 
ally heard  it  delivered ;  but  also  to  copy  the 
voice  and  manner  of  Mr.  Rodgers  so  closely, 
that  Mr.  Witherspoon,  who  heard  it  all  from  an 
adjoining  apartment,  declared,  that  if  he  had 
not  known  to  the  contraiy,  he  should  really  have 
supposed  it  was  Mr.  Rodgers  himself  preaching. 
In  short,  he  was  carried  beyond  himself,  and 
spoke  so  much  like  a  man  preaching  the  Gospel 
in  good  earnest,  that  his  profane  hearers  were 
deeply  affected,  and,  when  the  discourse  w^as 
ended,  one  after  another  silently  withdrew. 
But  what  is  still  more  remarkable,  Mr.  Knox 
himself  was  solemnly  impressed  by  his  own 
mock  preaching,  especially  as  he  drew  to- 
ward the  close  of  the  discourse ;  and,  when  it 
was  finished,  sat  down  with  mingled  emotioits 


100  »S^.   George  s. 

of  shame  and  hoiTor  at  the  profane  mockeiy  of 
which  he  had  been  guilty,  and  deep  conviction 
of  the  importance  of  the  doctrines  he  had  been 
dehvering,  in  application  to  himself.  So  strong" 
indeed  were  these  impressions,  that  he  could 
not  bear  the  thought  of  looking  Mr.  Rodger s,  or 
any  of  his  other  pious  patrons,  in  the  face,  after 
such  conduct ;  and,  accordingly,  early  the  next 
morning,  without  waiting  to  collect  any  of  his 
dues,  or  to  adjust  his  affairs,  he  precipitately 
quitted  that  part  of  the  country,  and  was  not 
heard  of  for  a  number  of  months. 

The  next  autumn,  when  Mr.  Rodgers  attend- 
ed the  commencement  of  the  college  of  New^- 
Jersey,  which  was  then  seated  at  JSewark,  he 
was  surprised  to  find  Mr.  Knox  at  the  house  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Burr  *,  the  president  of  the  college. 

*  The  Reverend  Jaron  Burr^  was  born  at  Fairjield^ 
in  Connecticut^  in  the  year  1714.  He  graduated  at  Yale 
college  in  1735.  In  1742  he  took  the  pastoral  charge  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  of  Nenuark^  in  JVew-Jersey.  In 
1748,  on  the  death  of  president  Dickinson^  he  was  unani- 
inously  elected  president  of  the  college  of  A^'enu-Jerseyy 
which  was  removed,  about  this  time,  from  Elizabeth- 
Town  to  JVewark.  In  1757,  the  college  was  removed  to 
Princeto?i,  where  president  Burr  died,  on  the  24th  of 
September,  in  that  year,  in  the  43d  year  of  his  age.    In 


Sl  George's.  101 

The  youn^  fug'itive  had  applied  to  Mr.  Burr,  sooa 
after  his  retreat  from  Bohemia,  for  admission  into 
one  of  the  classes  of  the  college  ;  but  having  in- 
formed him  that  his  last  residence  had  been  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Mr.  Rodders;  and  being  un- 
able to  produce  testimonials  from  that  place  of 
his  good  moral  character ;  Mr.  Burr  advised 
him  to  wait  in  Newark,  until  the  commence- 
ment, when  he  expected  to  have  an  opportunity 
of  seeing  Mr.  Rodgers,  and  of  conversing  with 
him  on  the  subject.  Mr.  Knox,  upon  first  meet- 
ing his  old  pastor,  was  much  agitated,  and,  as 
soon  as  possible,  took  him  aside  ;  acknowledged 
his  unworthy  conduct,  with  every  appearance  of 
deep  humiliation ;  implored  his  pardon  for  the 
offence  committed  ag^ainst  himself,  in  turninsf  his 
sermon  into  profane    mockery ;    and   informed 

fine  talents ;  in  fervent  piety ;  in  public  spirit ;  in 
unwearied  activity ;  in  extensive  acquaintance  with 
books  ;  in  commanding  eloquence  and  popularity  as  a 
preacher ;  in  knowledge  of  human  nature  j  in  conciliat- 
ing, attractive  manners  ;  and  in  a  peculiar  power  of  gain- 
ing an  influence  over  those  with  whom  he  conversed, 
president  Burr  has  always  been  considered  as  holding  a 
place  in  the  first  rank  of  American  clergjonen.  It  was 
the  happiness  of  Mr.  Rodgers  to  enjoy  an  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  this  gentleman,  during  the  first  seven  or 
eight  years  of  his  residence  at  St.  George* s. 


102  St.  Georges. 

him  of  the  situation  in  whicli  he  stood  with  re- 
gard to  his  expected  admission  into  the  college, 
Mr.  Rodgers  promised  to  speak  as  favourably 
of  him  to  Mr.  burr  as  truth  would  permit,  and 
not  to  disclose  the  conduct  which  led  to  his 
elopement  from  Bohemia,  unless  it  should  be 
drawn  from  him  by  unavoidable  questions ;  and 
with  these  promises,  left  him  in  the  most  painful 
anxiety. 

Here  Mr.  Rodger s  learned  from  young  Knox\ 
that  the  serious  impressions  made  on  his  mind 
by  the  sermon  which  he  had  so  profanely  repeat- 
ed, had  never  been  eradicated ;  that  his  wicked- 
ness had  been  over-ruled,  as  he  hoped,  for  his 
eternal  good  ;  that  he  had  for  some  time  cherish- 
ed a  hope  concerning  himself,  as  a  real  chris- 
tian ;  and  that  his  earnest  desire  was  to  com- 
plete his  education  at  the  college  with  a  view  to 
the  gospel  ministry. 

Happily,  president  Burr,  in  the  hurry  of 
commencement,  only  asked  Mr.  Rodyers  whe- 
ther he  knew  Mr.  Knox  ;  and  whether  he  would 
advise  that  he  be  admitted  into  the  college.  To 
both  these  questions,  Mr.  Rodgers  answered 
promptly  in  the  affirmative.      The  young  man 


&.  George's.  103 

was  admitted ;  passed  through  the  college,  and 
his  subsequent  theological  studies,  with  reputa- 
tion ;  and  after  receiving  many  testimonies  of 
sincere  and  active  friendship  from  his  old  pastor 
at  St,  George  s,  entered  on  the  work  of  the  gos- 
pel ministry,  and  became  equally  honoured  and 
useful  in  his  profession  *.  r 

*  Mr.  Knox-i  after  being  settled,  as  the  pastor  of  a 
church  in  the  Island  of  St.  Croix,  where  he  resided  many 
years,  was  honoured  with  the  degree  oi  Doctor  of  Divini' 
ty  by  the  university  of  Glasgow  ;  and  published  five  or 
six  volumes,  chiefly  sermons,  which  are  highly  esteemed. 
It  appears,  indeed,  from  a  long  letter  addressed  by  Dr. 
Knox  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Green^  of  Hanover^  J^ew-Jersey^ 
and  published  in  the  Churchman^s  Magazine,  of  AVw- 
York,  that  the  former,  at  one  period  of  his  life  at  least, 
was  not  so  strictly  orthodox  in  his  theological  creed,  as 
the  friends  of  truth  might  wish.  On  this  letter,  however, 
two  remarks  may  be  made.  The^rs^  is,  that  the  Pres- 
byterian minister  discovers  more  decisive  ability  than 
any  other  American  writer  that  ever  graced  the  pages 
«f  the  Churchman^ s  Magazine.  The  other  is,  that  al- 
though he  does  not  appear  in  this  letter  to  be,  in  all  res- 
pects, rigidly  orthodox ;  yet  he  is  not  so  far  otherwise  as 
the  commentator  on  that  letter  hastily  imagines.  In 
several  instances  of  supposed  deviation  from  Calvinism^ 
there  is  only  a  deviation  from  the  excesses  2Lnd  extravagant 
cies  of  certain  professed  friends  of  that  system ;  which  the 
commentator  above  alluded  to,  supposes  to  amount  to  an 
abjuration  of  Calvinism  itself. 


104  St.  George^. 

While  Mr.  Badgers  was  settled  at  St.  George^ s^ 
he   not  only  served    with  fidelity  the  people  of 
his   own  immediate  charge ;  but  such  was    his 
zeal  for  the  advancement  of  his  Master's  cause, 
and  the   salvation  of  souls,  that  he  often  visited 
those  vacant    congregations,   or   smaller   settle- 
ments, which  were  destitute  of  stated  ordinances^ 
and  preached  to  them,  with  much   affection  and 
indefatigable  labour.      Among  other  places  of 
this  description,  he   often  preached,  and  admi- 
nistered the  sacraments,  among  a  large  body  of 
Presbyterians  who  were  settled  in  Queen  Anne's 
county,  on  the  eastern  shore   of  Maryland.     In 
this   neighbourhood   his  ministry   was  attended 
with  remarkable    success.      On   one    occasion, 
more  particularly,  when  he  went  to  administer 
the  Lord's  Supper  to  the   church  there,  a  scene 
of  more  than  ordinary   interest  was   exhibited. 
Besides  a  large  number  of  others  admitted  to 
full  communion  in  the  church  at  the  same  time, 
who  had  been  bapti  ed  m  their  infancy,  there 
were  twenty-nine  adults,  on  one    day,    publicly 
baptized.     The  greater  part,  if  not  all  these  per- 
sons, had  been  educated  in  connexion  with  the 
society  of  Friends;   and  were  awakened,  and 
brouglit,  as  was  hoped,  to  embrace  the  gospel 
by  the  instrumentality  of  his  ministry.     He  often 


St.  Georges,  105 

spoke  of  that  day  as  among"  the  most  gratifying 
and  animating  of  his  hfe. 


In  the  year  1760,  in  the  midst  of  Mr.  Rodger  & 
usefulness  at   St.  George  s,   an    event   occurred, 
which  not  a  little  mortified  him  and  his  friends, 
and  which  made  considerable  noise  in  the  ec- 
clesiastical circles  of  America.     There  resided 
in  Philadelphia,  at  this  time,   the  Rev.  Williain 
Mc  Clenachan,  an  Episcopal  clergyman,  whose 
preaching  was  considered  as   more  evangelical 
than  that  of  the  generality  of  his  brethren  of  the 
same  denomination.      While  this  circumstance 
endeared   him  to   a  considerable  number  of  the 
Episcopalians    of   Philadelplda,    and    rendered 
them  earnestly  desirous  of  retaining  him  as  tlieir 
minister ;   it   excited    the    opposition    of  a  still 
greater  number,  and  threatened  to  produce  his 
exclusion  from  the  Episcopal  church  in  that  city. 
During  a  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Neiv-York 
and  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1760,  the  character, 
difficulties,  and  prospects  of  Mr.  Mc  Clenachan, 
happening  to  be  the  topic  of  more  general  and 
more  warm  conversation  than  usual,  a  number 
of  the  members   of  the   Synod    were   so  deeply 
impressed  with  the  excellence  of  his  character^ 

^nd  the  probable  usefulness  of  his  ministry^  and 

14 


106  St.   Georges. 

felt  so  much  interest  in  his  continuing  to  reside 
in  Philadelphia,  that  they  determined  to  attempt 
something  in  his  behalf;  and  accordingly  ad- 
dressed a  letter  to  the  archbishop  of  Canterbury, 
requesting  him  to  exert  his  official  influence,  in 
favouring  Mr.  Mc  Clenachans  wishes,  and  those 
of  his  friends,  that  he  might  retain  his  place. 

This  indiscreet  and  undignified  interference 
with  the  affairs  of  another  denomination,  wasi 
condemned  by  all  impartial  persons  :  and,  in- 
deed, the  authors  of  the  letter  themselves  had 
scarcely  dispatched  it,  before  they  became  sensi- 
ble of  the  impropriety  of  theu'  own  conduct,  and 
wished  it  recalled.  The  reception  which  it 
met  Avith  from  the  Archbishop  was  such  as 
might  have  been  expected.  No  answer  was  re- 
turned ;  and  the  letter  soon  found  its  way  into 
the  public  prints,  accompanied  with  such  com- 
ments as  were  natural,  and  not  wholly  unmerit- 
ed. When  the  Synod  convened  in  PhiladeU 
phia  the  next  year,  they  found  this  unfortunate 
letter,  followed  with  severe  strictures,  printed  in 
the  form  of  a  pamphlet,  and  circulating  very 
generally  among  the  citizens,  under  the  title  of 
"  The  Eighteen  Preshyterian  Ministers.^^  And 
not  unfrequently,  when  walking  the  streets,  M^ere 


St.  Georges.  107 

their  ears  assailed  by  the  shrill  notes  of  the  haw- 
kers of  small  books  and  pamphlets,  ci-ying", 
"  Eighteen  Preshgterian  Ministers  for  a  groats 
These  circumstances  afforded  a  subject  for  much 
merriment,  and  severe  remark,  not  only  on  the 
part  of  Mr.  Mc  Clenachans  episcopal  opponents ; 
but  also  on  the  part  of  those  members  of  the  Sy- 
nod who  were  still  denominated  Old'Side-tnen  ; 
and  who  had  declined  having  any  thing  to  do 
with  the  letter  to  the  Archbishop, 

The  name  of  Mr.  Rodger s  appeared  among 
the  subscribers  to  this  letter  *.  He  did  not, 
however,  subscribe  his  own  name  to  it.  Not 
bemg  even  present,  when  it  was  signed,  a  par- 
ticular friend  of  his,  who  was  an  actual  subscri- 
ber himself,  who  knew  the  zeal  of  Mr.  Rodger s 
in  every  thing  which  had  for  its  object  the  pro- 
motion of  vital  religion,  and  who  did  not  doubt, 
for  a  moment,  that,  if  he  had  been  present,  he 

*  The  names  of  the  eighteen  ministers  who  appeared  aa 
subscribers,  were,  Gilbert  Tennent^  William  Tenneiity 
Samuel  JDaviesy  John  Blair,  Charles  Tennent,  Moses 
Tuttle,  Charles  Mc  Knight,  Benjamin  Chesnut,  William 
Ramsey,  John  Rodgers,  James  Finley,  Abraham,  Keteltas, 
John  Roan,  Abner  Brush,  John  Moffat,  Alexander  Mac-- 
m^horter,  Robert  Smithy  and  Samuel  Kennedy, 


108  St  Georges. 

would  have  joined  with  his  friends,  took  the 
liberty  of  putting  down  his  name,  as  well  as  his 
own.  Though  this  unwarrantable  procedure 
gave  Mr.  Rodger s  a  fair  opportunity  of  making 
a  public  disavowal  of  any  concern  in  the  busi- 
ness ;  and  though  he  was  urged  to  make  such  a 
publication ;  yet  the  delicacy  of  his  friendship  to 
the  excellent  man  who  had  taken  this  improper 
liberty  ;  together,  it  is  probable,  with  some  lurk- 
ing doubt  whether,  if  he  had  been  present,  he 
would  not  have  given  his  name  with  the  rest  of 
his  brethren ;  induced  him  to  forbear  such  a 
measure,  and  to  take  his  share  of  the  current 
ridicule  and  censure. 

In  1762,  Mr.  Rodgers  was  chosen  by  the  Sy- 
nod of  New-York  and  Philadelphia,  to  go  on  a 
mission  to  Great- Britain  and  Ireland,  to  solicit 
benefactions  toward  the  establishment  of  a 
"  Fund  for  the  relief  of  poor  and  distressed  Pres- 
"  h liter  an  ministers,  their  widorvs  and  childrenJ*^ 
A  variety  of  considerations  rendered  this  mission 
a  very  desirable  one;  and  he  certainly  would 
have  accepted  the  appointment,  had  not  the  situ- 
ation of  hLS  family  rendered  impossible  so  long 
an  absence  from  home,  as  would  have  been  ne- 
cessary to  accomplish  its  purpose.     The  Rever- 


St.  Georges.  109 

end  Charles  Beatty  *,  another  minister  of  emi- 
nence in  the  Presbyterian  church,  was  afterwards 
appointed  to  the  same  mission  in  the  place  of 
Mr.  Rodger  s,  and  fulfilled  it,  to  the  great  advan- 
tage of  the  fund,  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
Synod. 

*  The  Rev.  Charles  Beatty  was  a  native  of  Ireland. 
He  obtained  a  pretty  accurate  classical  education  in  his 
own  country ;  but  his  circumstances  being  narrow,  he 
migrated  to  America.^  and  employed  several  of  the  first 
years  of  his  residence  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  in  the 
business  of  ^pedlar.  In  the  pursuit  of  this  vocation,  he 
halted,  one  day,  at  the  "  Log-College^^  on  the  A''eshaminyy 
then  under  the  care  of  the  Reverend  William  Tennent, 
the  elder.  The  fiedlar^  to  Mr.  Tennent^s  surprise,  ad- 
dressed him  in  correct  Latin^  and  appeared  to  be  familiar 
with  that  language.  After  much  conversation,  in  which 
Mr.  Beatty  manifested  fervent  piety,  and  considerable 
religious  knowledge,  as  well  as  a  good  education  in 
other  respects,  Mr.  Tennent  addressed  him  thus—"  You 
"  must  quit  your  present  employment.  Go  and  sell  the 
«  contents  of  your  pack,  and  return  immediately,  and  stu- 
"  dy  with  me.  It  will  be  a  sin  for  you  to  continue  a  fied" 
"  lar^  when  you  may  be  so  much  more  useful  in  another 
"  profession."  He  accepted  Mr.  Tennent's  offer ;  return- 
ed to  Keshaminy  ;  completed  there  his  academical  and 
theological  studies  ;  and  in  due  time  became  an  eminent 
minister.  He  died  in  Barbadoes^  whither  he  had  gone 
to  solicit  benefactions  for  the  college  of  JVew-Jer&ey^ 
about  the  time  of  Mr.  Rodgers*  removal  to  Aew-  Yor^\- 


110  St.  Georges. 

It  is  often  said  of  the  servantsof  God,  that  they 
are  immortal  till  their  work  is  done.  And  it  is,  at 
once,  both  pleasant  and  profitable  to  remark  how 
often  his  protecting-  power  is  manifestetl  in  avert- 
ing danger,  and  in  prolonging  their  lives.  The 
favour  of  a  gracious  Providence  was,  on  various 
occasions,  as  conspicuously  displayed  in  preserv- 
ing Mr.  Rodyers  life,  as  in  blessisig  his  labours. 
Of  this  fact,  one  instance,  among  many,  shall 
suffice.  Within  the  bounds  of  his  congregation, 
and  near  the  place  of  his  residence,  there  lived  an 
unhappy  man,  of  the  name  of  Marsh,  who,  borne 
down  by  domestic  affliction,  and  besotted  by 
habitual  intemperance,  had  become  weary  of  life. 
Unwilling  to  be  guilty  of  suicide,  which  he  sup- 
posed would  be  an  unpardonable  sin,  as  it  might 
afford  no  time  for  repentance,  he  resolved  to 
commit  murder  on  some  other  person,  that  his 
own  life  might  be  taken  by  the  hand  of  public 
justice.  And,  fearing  that,  if  he  murdered  an 
obscure  person,  whose  loss  would  affect  the  pub- 
lic mind  in  a  comparatively  small  degree,  he 
might  be  pardoned,  and  thus  fail  of  attaining  his 
object,  he  determined  to  select  for  this  horrid 
purpose  no  other  than  his  minister,  whom  he 
knew  to  be  universally  beloved,  and  whose  im- 
portance  in  public   sentiment,    he   was   aware 


St.  Georges.  Hi 

would  produce  an  overwhelming'  weight  of  ab- 
horrence and  indignation  against  his  murderer. 
Accordingly  the  miserable  wretch  made  every 
preparation  for  executing  his  nefarious  purpose. 
He  watched  the  motions  of  ]\Ir.  Rodger's,  with  a 
loaded  musket,  day  after  day,  for  a  considerable 
time,  and  eagerly  sought  for  a  favourable  oppor- 
tunity to  destroy  his  life.  He  waylaid  him  when 
he  rode  abroad.  He  hovered  about  his  door,  at 
intervals,  by  day  and  night*  But  something  al- 
ways occurred  to  caiTy  the  object  of  his  pursuit 
in  a  different  direction  from  that  which  was  ex- 
pected, and  thus  to  avert  the  intended  mischief. 
The  wife  of  3Iarsh  first  revealed  to  Mr.  Roclgers 
the  murderous  purposes  of  her  husband  ;  and  in 
consequence  of  this  disclosure,  the  infatuated 
man  was  summoned  before  a  neighbouring  jus- 
tice, and  bound  over  to  his  good  behaviour  for  a 
limited  time.  Mr.  Rodgers  himself  appeared 
before  the  magistrate,  and,  by  his  zealous  inter- 
cession, prevented  his  imprisonment.  This  ge- 
nerosity, however,  on  the  part  of  his  intended  vic- 
tim, produced  no  favourable  effect  on  the  mind 
of  the  unhappy  man.  He  still  sought,  with  most 
ingenious  contrivance,  some  opportunity  to  exe- 
cute his  design ;  but  was  still  providentially  pre- 
vented.    At  length,  wearied  with  unsuccessful 


112  St  Georges. 

attempts,  and  becoming  altogether  desperate, 
the  abandoned  mortal,  on  a  certain  night,  when 
watching  within  a  few  feet  of  Mr.  Rodger s"  door, 
turned  against  himself  the  fatal  weapon  which 
he  had  prepared  for  his  minister,  and  perished 
by  his  own  hand  ! 

On  the  20th  day  of  January,  1763,  Mr.  Rodg-^ 
ers  was  deprived,  by  death,  of  his  wife,  with 
whom  he  had  lived,  in  the  greatest  happiness, 
for  more  than  ten  years.  Of  this  bereavement  he 
often  spoke,  to  the  end  of  life,  with  much  ten^ 
derness,  as  the  sorest  and  most  distressing  that 
he  ever  experienced  :  and  there  is  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  he  kept  the  anniversary  of  her  decease, 
as  a  day  of  special  prayer,  as  long  as  he  lived. 
After  living  a  widower  more  than  a  year 
and  a  half,  he  formed  a  second  matrimonial 
connexion,  on  the  15th  day  of  August,  1764,  with 
Mrs.  Mary  Grant,  the  widow  of  Mr.  William 
Grant,  an  eminent  merchant  of  Philadelphia^ 
and  equally  eminent  for  the  fervour  of  his  piety. 
Mr.  Rodger s  connexion  with  this  lady  proved 
no  less  happy  than  that  with  the  companion  of 
his  youth.  She  was  truly  a  blessing  to  him  to 
the  end  of  life,  and  survived  him  about  ten 
months.     Her  great  firmness  of  mind ;  her  re- 


St,  Georges.  113 

mark  able  prudence ;  her  polished  and  dignified 
manners;  her  singular  sweetness  and  evenness 
of  temper,  joined  with  fervent  piety,  endeared 
her  to  all  that  had  the  happiness  of  her  acquaint- 
ance, and  rendered  her  an  excellent  model  for 
the  wife  of  a  clergyman*. 

Mr.  Rodgers,  at  an  early  period  of  his  public 
life,  had  received  a  deep  impression,  that  the 
wife  of  a  minister  of  the  gospel  ought  to  be 
such  a  person  as  would  prove  a  counsellor  and 
aid  in  his  official  character,  as  well  as  in  his 
private  capacity.  He  believed,  that,  as  an  am- 
bassador  of  Christ  ought  to  have  in  view  the 

*  This  lady,  whose  family  name  was  Antrobosy  was  a 
native  of  Manchester.^  in  England.  Her  father  was  one 
of  the  colonists  who  came  over  to  Georgia^  with  General 
Oglethorfie,  in  the  year  1733,  when  she  was  about  eight 
years  of  age.  It  is  remarkable  that  both  her  husbands, 
as  well  as  herself,  were  particular  friends,  and  spiritual 
children,  of  Mr.  Whitejield.  By  Mr.  Grants  she  had  seve- 
ral children,  one  of  whom  was  the  second  wife  of  Col.  John 
Bayard^  late  of  JVeiv-Bruns^vick.^  in  JVciv- Jersey.  By  Dr. 
Rodgers  she  had  one  child,  a  daughter,  who  died  a  num- 
ber of  years  before  her  parents.  Mrs.  Rodgers^  after 
adorning  her  christian  profession,  through  the  greater 
part  of  a  century,  was  translated  to  a  better  world,  on  the 
16th  day  of  March,  1812,  in  the  88th  vear  of  her  age. 

15 


J 14  St,  Georfje's, 

psefuiness  of  his  ministry,  and  the  honour  of 
his  Master,  in  every  thing"  else,  so  also  in  his 
marriag-e.  He  was,  therefore,  uniform  and  point- 
ed in  his  advice  to  young  ministers,  not  only 
to  seek  pious  wives,  but  also  to  seek  such  as  by 
their  good  sense,  prudence,  and  amiableness  of 
natural  temper,  might  win  the  hearts  of  their 
parishioners,  form  an  additional  medium  of  in- 
tercourse and  attachment  between  them,  and 
prove  examples  to  the  flock.  He  often  remark- 
ed, that  no  man  could  calculate  the  importance 
of  such  a  companion  to  the  usefulness,  as  well  as 
to  the  comfort,  of  his  ministry,  until  he  had  made 
the  experiment.  His  own  conduct  was,  most 
happily,  in  perfect  accordance  with  his  advice  ; 
and  the  blessings,  of  which  he  often  spoke,  as 
resulting  from  a  wise  choice,  were,  in  his  own 
case,  no  less  happily  realized. 

In  the  month  of  April,  1765,  Mr.  Rodger s  was 
elected  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  College  of 
New-Jersey.  It  was  not  wonderful  that  his  public 
spirit,  his  zeal  for  the  promotion  of  useful  know- 
ledge, and  his  deyoted  attachment  to  the  interests 
of  evangelical  truth,  should  have  pointed  him 
out  thus  early  as  one  of  the  governors  of  an  insti- 
Ititiou,  consecrated  by  its  venerable  founders  as  a 


iS^t.  Geor<jes.  115 

Btirsery  for  the  Church.  He  entered  on  the  du- 
ties of  this  appointment  with  cordiality  ;  perform- 
ed them  with  fidelity  and  diligence  ;  and  remained 
one  of  the  most  active  and  punctual  of  the  whole 
Board,  until  within  two  or  three  years  of  his 
death;  wheii,  with  the  same  disinterested  and 
noble  spirit  which  had  long  governed  him,  he 
resigned  the  ofiice  ;  assigning  as  his  only  reason, 
that  he  could  no  longer,  as  usual,  discharge  its 
duties  ',  and  soliciting  the  appointment  of  a  more 
youthful  -and  active  member  in  his  place. 

But  while  the  zeal  and  public  spirit  of  Mr. 
Hodcjers  were  directed  to  objects  of  various 
kinds,  abroad  as  well  as  at  home ;  and  while, 
in  every  sphere  in  which  he  moved,  his  piety 
and  diligence  were  conspicuous  ;  he  shone  with 
peculiar  lustre  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  and  in 
discharging  all  the  diversified,  arduous,  and  in- 
teresting duties  of  a  Christian  Bishop.  His  fa- 
mily visitations  ',  his  incessant  attention  to  the  ca- 
techising and  other  instruction  of  the  youth ; 
and  his  unwearied  vigilance  in  watching  over 
the  interests  of  the  flock  of  which  he  had  been 
made  overseer,  have  been  already  mentioned. 
It  is  also  w  orthy  of  notice,  that  his  more  public 
services  were  not  confined  to  the  pulpit  or  the 


116  St.  George's. 

sabbath.  Whenever  his  health  and  the  weather 
permitted,  he  was  accustomed  to  appoint,  from 
time  to  time,  to  preach  on  week  days  in  the 
houses  of  the  sick,  the  infirm,  or  the  aged ;  and 
thus,  while  he  went  as  a  messenger  of  consola- 
tion to  those  who  would  not  have  been  otherwise 
able  to  attend  on  his  ministry,  he  carried  the  glad 
tidings  of  salvation  to  every  corner  within  his 
reach,  and  to  multitudes  who  had  no  disposition 
to  seek  them.  He  performed  evangelical  servi- 
ces of  this  kind,  in  private  houses,  so  frequent- 
ly, that  almost  every  habitation  in  his  parish  had 
been  more  than  once,  and  a  number  of  them 
many  times,  employed  in  the  solemnities  of  pub« 
lie  worship. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say,  that  a  minister 
thus  ardent,  unwearied,  and  affectionate  in  all  his 
pastoral  duties,  was  highly  popular  in  the  neigh- 
bouring parishes,  as  well  as  his  own.  So  great 
indeed,  was  this  popularity,  that  it  became,  indi- 
rectly, the  cause  of  no  inconsiderable  evil.  Seve- 
ral of  the  adjacent  congregations  becoming  va- 
cant, by  the  death  or  removal  of  their  ministers, 
while  Mr.  Rodger s  resided  at  St.  George  s,  so 
strong  was  the  desire  of  all  the  members  of  those 
congregations  who  could  travel  so  far,  to  attend 


St,  Georges*  117 

t)n  his  preaching ;  and  so  small  their  hopes  of 
being  able  to  obtain  pastors  of  comparable  popu- 
larity with  his,  that  they  absolutely  remained  va- 
cant as  long  as  he  continued  to  reside  there ;  and, 
(to  use  the  language  of  the  venerable  friend* 
who  communicated  this  mformation,)  would  pro- 
bably never  have  thought  of  any  other  man  as 
long  as  he  remained  witliin  their  reach.  In  truth, 
the  friends  of  religion,  for  many  miles  around,  con- 
sidered him  as  a  spiritual  father ;  looked  up  to 
him  for  counsel,  and  followed  his  ministrations 
with  admiring  ardour,  to  a  degree  rarely  M'itness- 
ed. 

One  little  anecdote  shall  close  the  list  of  proofs 
on  this  subject.  A  year  or  two  before  Mr.  Itod- 
gers  removed  from  St.  George's,  Mr.  Whitejield 
had  appointed,  on  a  certain  day,  to  preach  with- 
in a  few  miles  of  his  residence.  The  people  of  the 
neighbourhood  assembled,  at  the  appointed  time, 
to  the  number  of  five  or  six  thousand.  Owing 
to  some  circumstances,  now^  unknown,  Mr.  White-' 
field  never  came.  The  people,  after  waitmg  in  vain 

*  The  Pvev.  Dr.  Thomas  Read,  of  Wilmington,  Dela-- 
ware,  to  whom  the  writer  is  indebted  for  several  interest- 
ing facts  in  the  early  part  of  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Rodgers, 


118  St.  Georges, 

for  a  considerable  time,  ur^ed  Mr.  Hodgers,  who 
was  present,  to  rise  and  address  them.  For  any 
man,  even  with  the  best  preparation,  to  take  the 
place  of  Whitcjield,  and  preach  to  an  audience 
which  he  had  been  expected  to  address,  would 
have  been  an  arduous  task ;  but  to  do  this  on  a 
sudden  call,  and  with  scarcely  any  preparation, 
was  much  more  so  Mr.  Rodgers,  however, 
made  it  one  of  the  first  principles  of  his  ministry, 
never  to  shrink  from  any  service  to  which  the 
providence  of  God  evidently  called  him.  He^ 
therefore,  determined,  without  hesitation,  to  com- 
ply with  the  request  of  his  friends ;  and,  after  a 
few  moments  pre-meditati on,  rose  and  preached 
to  the  multitude  in  the  open  air.  The  conseqences 
were  happy.  It  proved,  indeed,  a  day  of  power. 
It  was  the  opinion  of  many  who  heard  him,  that, 
notwithstanding  all  the  disadvantages  of  the  occa- 
sion, the  preacher  scarcely  ever  spoke  so  accept- 
ably or  so  well.  He  out  did  himself.  The  con- 
gregation on  dispersing  unequivocally  manifested 
that  they  had  not  been  disappointed ;  and  num- 
bers had  reason  long  to  remember  the  solemnities 
of  the  day  with  grateful  and  adoring  joy. 

But  Mr.  Hodgers'  ministry  at  St,  George  s  was 
now  drawing  to  a  close.     The  death  of  the  pious 


SL  Georges.  119 

and  venerable  Mr.  Bostwick,  one  of  the  pastors 
of  the  church  in  Neiv-York,  laid  the  naembers  of 
that  church  under  the  necessity  of  looking  oul 
for  another  minister.  They  again,  as  they  had 
done  ten  years  before,  directed  their  views  to  Mr. 
Rodgers,  and  after  a  short  time  gave  him  a 
unanimous  and  affectionate  call  ta  be  their  pas- 
tor. 

This  call  was  dated  in  the  month  of  January,. 
T.765.  Its  unanimity,  importance,  and  urgency, 
on  the  one  hand,  and  his  attachment  and  useful- 
ness to  the  people  of  St.  George  s,  on  the  other, 
exceedingly  agitated  and  embarrassed  his  mind, 
and  rendered  him  unwillino^  to  decide  on  the 
path  of  duty  for  himself.  He  therefore,  when 
the  call  was  laid  before  the  Presbytery  to  which 
he  belonged,  on  the  16th  day  of  April  following',, 
referred  the  question,  whether  he  ought  to  accept 
it  or  not,  to  that  body.  But  the  Presbytery,  after 
hearing  the  commissioners  from  New-York,  plead 
at  great  length,  and  with  much  eloquence,  in  fa- 
vour of  their  call ;  and  those  from  the  congrega- 
tion of  St.  George  s,  with  no  less  ability  and  af- 
fection, against  the  removal  of  their  pastor,  deter- 
mined that  it  was  not  expedient  for  them  to  de- 
cide the  question  ;  but  referred  the  decision  of  it 


120  St.  Georges. 

to  the  Synod  of  New-York  and  Philadelphia^ 
which  was  to  meet  on  the  third  Wednesday  of 
May  following,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  next  week,  after  the  ri- 
sing of  the  Presbytery  which  had  been  employ- 
ed in  considering  the  call  from  New-York,  an- 
other call  reached  the  hands  of  Mr.  RodgerSy 
earnestly  inviting  him  to  take  the  pastoral  care 
of  a  large  and  important  congregational  church 
in  Charleston,  in  South  Carolina,  Mr.  White' 
jield,  being  on  a  visit  to  Mr.  Rodgers,  a  few 
days  after^  the  arrival  of  these  calls,  and  pri- 
or to  the  meeting  of  the  Synod,  declared  that  he 
considered  the  aspect  of  providence  as  deciding 
that  his  work  at  St,  Georges  was  done,  and  that 
he  was  about  to  be  removed  from  that  place. 
But  when  asked  which  of  the  calls  he  thought  Mr. 
Rodger s  ought  to  accept ;  a  question  which  his 
famihar  acquaintance  with  both  New-York  and 
Charleston  gave  him  peculiar  advantages  for  de- 
ciding; he  declared  himself  unable  to  make 
up  a  decisive  opinion.  When  the  business  came 
before  the  Synod,  after  a  full  and  patient  hearing 
of  all  parties,  for  near  three  days,  and  after  spe- 
cial prayer  to  God  for  direction  in  the  case,  they 
decided  by  nearly  an  unanimous  vote,  that  it  was 


St  Georges.  121 

the  duty  of  Mr.  Rodgers  to  accept  of  the  call 
from  New-York,  of  which  accordingly  he  declar- 
ed his  acceptance,  and  his  pastoral  relation  to  the 
church  at  St.  Geortjes  was  immediately  dissolv- 
ed. This  event  took  place  on  the  18th  of  May, 
1765. 

Mr.  Rodgers  began,  without  delay,  to  prepare 
for  his  removal  to  the  new  scene  of  labour  which 
the  great  Head  of  the  church  had  marked  out 
for  him.  The  straggle  which  attended  his  taking 
leave  of  his  beloved  people,  was,  as  we  have  been 
told  in  a  former  page,  affecting  and  painful  in  the 
highest  degree.  But  the  attention  and  cordiality 
with  which  he  was  received  by  the  people  of  his 
new  charge,  speedily  and  happily  alleviated  the 
pain  of  this  separation.  He  arrived  in  the  city  of 
New-York f  with  his  family,  on  the  24th  day  of 
July,  1765,  and  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church 
in  that  place  on  the  4th  day  of  September  follow- 
ing, by  the  Presbytery  of  New-York,  of  which  he 
had,  of  course,  become  a  member. 


16 


CHAP.  IV. 


:S::KWK  nioni  ^h^  np  n^Dn  n^m  Knn 

Exod,  iii.  2; 


A  brief  history  of  the  Church  in  New-York,  avf^ 
terior  to  the  commencement  of  Mr.  Rodgers^ 
ministry  as  its  pastor. 


Before  we  proceed  to  the  contemplation  of 
Mr.  Rodger s  ministry  in  New-York,  it  will  be 
proper  to  give  some  account  of  the  rise  and  pro- 
gress of  the  church  in  that  city,  in  the  pastoral 
charge  of  which  he  spent  so  large  a  part  of  his 
life.  This  is  not  only  desirable,  to  gratify  the  cu- 
riosity of  those  who  may  feel  an  interest  in  the 
subject ;  but  it  is  in  a  measure  necessary,  in  order 
to  the  satisfactory  illustration  of  the  character 
and  success  of  his  labours,  especially  in  the  early 
part  of  his  ministry  in  that  church. 

The  first  account  which  we  have  of  any  Pren* 
by  tenons,  in  the  city  of  JSew-York,  from  England^ 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-York.      123 

Scotland,  or  Ireland,  is  dated  in  the  year  1706. 
For  a  number  of  years  before  that  time,  the  Dutch 
Presbyterians  from  Holland,  the  French  Presby- 
terians,* who  had  fled  from  the  bloody  pergecu- 
tions  which  followed  the  revocation  of  the  Edict 

*  Although  the  title  oi  Presbyterian,  is,  in  popular  lan- 
guage, chiefly  confined  to  the  churches  in  Great-Britain, 
and  Ireland,  and  those  who  descended  from  them,  who 
hold  the  doctrine  of  ministerial  parity,  and  maintain  a 
government  by  Presbyteries ;  yet  the  term,  as  every 
ivell  informed  reader  knows,  is  much  more  extensive  ia 
its  application.  The  Reformed  churches  of  Holland, 
France,  Germany,  and  Geneva,  were  all  as  really  Presby- 
terian as  that  of  Scotland.  That  is,  they  all,  unanimous- 
ly and  decisively,  maintained  the  fiarity  of  ministers  ;  the 
scriptural  -wsLvrontoi  Ruling  Elders  ;  and  the  government 
of  larger  districts  of  the  church,  by  Presbyteries  and 
Synods  ;  in  other  words,  by  a  number  of  ministers  and 
ruling  elders,  sitting  judicially,  and  deciding  authorita- 
tively on  the  general  concerns  of  the  church  in  a  kingdom 
or  province.  Nay,  even  the  Lutheran  churches  in  Ger- 
many,  Sweden,  Denmark,  8cc.  at  the  era  of  the  Reforma- 
tion, adopted  the  essential  principles  of  Presbyterian  go- 
vernment. They  all  maintained,  and  do  to  the  present 
day  maintain,  the  ordaining'  power  of  Presbyters  :  and 
many  of  them  have  ruling  elders  in  their  churches. 
Luther  himself,  as  was  before  stated,  though  only  a  Pres- 
byter,  ordained  a  number  of  ministers,  and  declared  or- 
dination by  Presbyters  to  be  the  afiostolic  mode.  In 
Short,  the  whole  Protestant  world,  excepting  the  church 


124      History  of  the  Church  in  New-York^ 

of  IS  ant  z,  the  Episcopalians  of  the  church  oiEng^ 
land,  and  a  few  German  Lutherans,  constituted 
almost  the  whole  of  the  ecclesiastical  population 
of  the  city.     In  the  year  just  mentioned,  it  ap- 

of  England,  and  those  who  have  descended  from  her,  at 
the  period  of  the  Reformation,  either  adopted  Presbyteri- 
an principles,  in  all  their  extent,  or  recognized  and  incor- 
porated the  essential  parts  of  that  system  in  their  respec- 
tive ecclesiastical  constitutions.  The  Reformation  in 
England^  being  chiefly  carried  on  by  the  Bishops;  and 
they,  as  might  naturally  have  been  expected,  being  un- 
willing to  relinquish  tlieir  pre-eminence,  concurred  with 
the  civil  power  in  retaining  Prelacy,  among  a  number  of 
other  relics  of  Popery.  That  the  Waldensesi  the  ^Ibi' 
gences,  and  the  BcJiemian  Brethren  ;  and  after  them, 
Wickliffe^  Zuinglius,  Luther,  Calvin^  and  the  whole  body 
of  Reformers  on  the  continent  of  Eurojie,  should  have 
rejected  prelacy,  as  an  ordinance  of  Divine  right,  and  ex- 
pressly maintained  the  essential  principles  of  PresbytC' 
rianis7n,  really  furnishes  a  most  important  body  of  evi- 
dence in  favour  of  that  truly  apostolic  and  primitive  form 
of  church  order.  This  evidence,  however,  is  not  want- 
ed. The  New  Testament,  and  especially  the  Jets  of  the 
jlfiostles,  taken  in  connexion  with  the  Epistles  to  Timo- 
thy and  TituS)  so  conclusively  refute  all  prelatical  claims, 
and  so  firmly  establish  the  Presbyterian  doctrine,  that  we 
need  no  confirmation  derived  from  human  authority. 
See  "  Letters  on  the  constitiitioii  and  order  of  the 
Christian  Ministry:'^  Vol.  I.  1  etter  VI.  and  Vol.  11^ 
Letters  VI.  VII.  VIII, 


History  of  the  Church  in  Nerv-Yorh.     125 

pears  that  a  small  number  of  Presbyterian  fami- 
lies, which  had  chiefly  migrated  from  Great-Bri- 
tian  and  Ireland,  together  with  a  very  few  indi- 
viduals, as  there  is  reason  to  believe,  from  Netv- 
England,  were  in  the  habit  of  meeting  together 
for  social  worship.*  They  had,  however,  no  or- 
ganized church,  no  pastor,  nor  any  public  build- 
ing in  which  they  convened.  They  assembled 
in  a  private  house ;  and  employed  themselves 
when  together  in  reading  the  scriptures  and  other 
pious  wiitings,  and  in  prayer  and  praise,  conduct- 
ed alternately  by  the  most  pious  and  prudent  of 
their  number. 

In  the  month  of  January  1707,  The  Reverend 
Francis  3Ic  Kemie,  and  the  Reverend  John 
Hampton,  two  Presbyterian  ministers,  who  had 
been  for  some  time  engaged  in  preaching  the 
gospel  in  different  parts  of  Virginia  and  Mary- 
land '\,  paid  a  visit  to  New-York,  on  their  way  to 

*  Of  this  number,  the  names  of  only  five  persons  are 
now  known,  viz.  David  Jamison.^  Esq.  Capt.  John  Theo- 
balds,  Mr.  John  Vanhorne,  Mr.  William  Jackson,  and 
Mr.  Anthony  Young. 

t  These  gentlemen  had  been  sent  out,  by  a  respecta- 
ble body  of  dissenters  in  the  city  of  London,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  serving  as  Evangelists  in  the  middle  and  south- 


126     History  of  the  Church  in  Nerv-York, 

Boston,  On  their  arrival  in  the  city,  having  made 
known  their  character,  and  produced  the  most 
unquestionable  testimonials  of  their  good  stand- 

ern  colonies  of  America.  Mr,  Mc  Kemie^  the  more 
eminent  of  these  two  evangelists,  was  a  native  of  Ire- 
land. He  came  to  America  about  the  year  1700;  and 
iixed  his  habitation  on  the  peninsula  between  the  Dela- 
mfare  and  Chesa/ieak  bays^  in  the  eounty  of  Accomack, 
Virginia^  very  near  the  Maryland  line.  From  this  spot, 
as  the  centre  of  his  operations,  he  went  forth  in  all  di- 
rections, preaching  the  gospel  wherever  he  found  people 
willing  to  hear  him.  The  Episcopal  clergy  of  Virginia^ 
becoming  much  alarmed  and  incensed  at  his  evangelical 
labours,  had  influence  enough  to  cause  him  to  be  arrest- 
ed and  carried  over  the  bay  to  JVilliamsburghy  to  answer 
for  the  crime  of  preaching  the  gospel.  But  such  was 
the  force  of  his  talents,  and  the  fascination  of  his  address, 
that  he  conciliated  the  Governor,  who  became  his  friend, 
and  not  only  licensed  his  dwelling  house  as  a  place  of 
worship,  but  also  gave  him  a  general  licence  to  preach 
in  the  dominion.  Mr.  Mc  Ke?}iie  was  a  man  of  eminent 
piety,  as  well  as  of  strong  intellectual  powers.  His  con- 
version was  early  and  remakable.  In  a  pamphlet  which 
he  published  in  Virginia,  in  reply  to  an  errorist,  who  had 
charged  him  with  denying  the  influences  of  the  Ho^ 
Spirit,  he  declared,  that  "  so  far  from  denying  them,  he 
f  believed  them  to  be  indispensable  to  all  real  religion  ; 
'''  and  had  reason  to  thank  God  that,  at  fourteen  years  of 
^*  age,  under  the  instructions  of  a  pious  school-master,  he 
^  felt  their  power  on  his  own  souL" 


Sistory  of  the  ChurcJi  in  Neiv^York,     12^ 

iYig,  leave  was  obtained  for  Mr.  Mc  Kemie  te 
preach  in  the  Dutch  church,  in  Gaj^den-street, 
while  Mr.  Hampton  rode  over  to  New-Trnvn^  on 
Lony-Islandy  for  the  purpose  of  preaching  to  the 
Presbyterian  church  which  had  been  for  some 
time  planted  in  that  place.  Lord  Cornbury,  a 
cousin  of  Queen  Anne,  and  a  most  bigotted  epis- 
copalian, was  then  Governor  of  the  province  of 
New-York.*    His  Lordship,  hearing  of  the  per- 

*  The  meanness,  as  well  as  the  contemptible  bigotry 
of  this  man,  will  appear  from  the  following  anecdote,  of 
unquestionable  authenticity.  The  Presbyterians  of  Jc- 
maica,  on  Long-Island^  had  erected  a  commodious  edifice 
for  the  worship  of  God,  and  also  possessed  a  handsome  par- 
sonage-house and  glebe,  which  they  had  enjoyed  undis- 
turbed for  many  years.  A  short  time  previous  to  the  year 
1702,  when  Lord  Cornbury  arrived,  a  few  Episcopalians 
having  settled  in  the  town,  began  to  view  the  Presbyteri- 
an church  with  a  jealous  eye  ;  and  at  length  carried  their 
insolent  violence  so  far  as  to  seize  on  the  church,  be- 
tween the  morning  and  afternoon  service,  and  endeavoured 
to  hold  it  for  the  use  of  their  own  sect.  After  much 
controversy,  it  was  recovered  out  of  their  hands,  and 
restored  to  its  proper  o"\vners.  In  the  midst  of  this  con- 
test, in  the  summer  of  1702,  a  malignant  fever  breaking' 
out  in  the  city  oi  JSTew-York,  Lord  Cornbury  retired  to 
Jamaica.  The  parsonage-house,  in  which  the  Reverend 
Mr.  Hubbard,  the  minister  of  the  church,  lived,  was  the 
best  in  the  town.    His  Lordship  begged  the  loan  of  it 


128      History  of  the  Church  in  Ntw-Yorh 

mission  which  had  been  given  to  Mr.  Mc  Kemie 
by  the  minister  and  consistory  of  the  Dutch 
church,  utterly  prohibited  his  preaching  in  that 
diurch.  Under  these  circumstances  Mr.  Mc 
Kemie  preached  a  single  sermon,  at  the  house  of 
Mr.  William  Jackson,  at  the  lower  end  of  Pearl-^ 
street,  to  a  small  audience,  and  baptized  a  child^ 
with  open  doors.  On  the  succeeding  Tuesday 
he  went  over  to  New-Town  to  join  his  compan- 
ion, and  to  fulfil  an  appointment  which  had  been 
made  for  him  to  preach  there  the  next  day.  Here 
he  and  Mr.  Hampton  were  arrested,  by  the  she^ 
riff  of  Queens  county,  by  virtue  of  a  warrant 
from  Lord  Cornhury^  and  were  led  in  triumph  a 
circuitous  route,  through  Jamaica,  to  the  city  of 
New-York,  where  they  were  carried  before  the 
Governor,  and,  by  his  order,  were  thrown  into 
prison.  In  consequence  of  the  absence  of  the 
Chief  Justice,  they  continued  in  confinement  near 
two  months.  At  the  end  of  which  time,  they  were 
brought  before  that  officer  by  a  writ  of  Habeas 

for  the  use  of  his  family  ;  and  Mr.  Hubbard  put  himself 
to  no  small  inconvenience  to  comply  wiih  his  request. 
In  return  for  this  generous  conduct  his  Lordship,  on  re- 
tiring from  the  house,  perfidiously  delivered  it  into  the 
hands  of  the  Episcopal  party,  whose  feelings  and  prin- 
ciples permitted  them  to  receive  it.     Smithy  1 1 9. 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-YorJi,       129 

CorpuSy  and  admitted  to  bail.*  In  the  month 
of  June  followinoTj  Mr.  Mc  Kemie  returned  from 
Yiryinia  to  Nerv-iork,  to  attend  the  sessions  of 
the  supreme  court,  when  his  trial  came  on ;  in 
the  course  of  which  it  is  difficult  to  sav,  whether 
he  was  most  conspicuous  for  his  talents  as  a  man, 
or  for  his  dignity  and  piety,  as  a  minister  of  the 
gospel  |,     The  jury  acquitted  him.    But  through 

*  As  Mr.  Hamilton  had  not  preached  in  the  city,  no  bill 
was  found  against  him  by  tlie  grand  jury  ;  and  he  was  of 
course  discharged. 

t  See  an  account  of  this  trial  in  Smith's  History  of 
Ntiu-  York  ;  and  still  more  at  large  in  a  formal  Refiort  of 
the  trialy  entitled,  ^  Karrative  of  a  new  and  unusual 
American  Imfirisonment^  of  two  Presbyterian  Ministers^ 
mud  firosecution  of  Mr,  Francis  Mc  Kemie^  one  of  therriy 
for  fir  caching  one  Sermon  in  the  city  of  JVewYork^  1707. 
The  following  short  extract  from  the  trial,  will  show  the 
spirit  and  firmness  with  which  Mr.  Mc  Kemie  treated  his 
persecutors. 

Mr.  Attorney.  You  own,  that  you  fireached  a  Sermon^ 
and  bafitized  a  child,  at  Mr.  William  Jackson's. 

Mr.  Mc  Kemie.     Yes,  I  did. 

Mr.  Attor.     How  many  hearert  had  you  9 

Mr.  Mc  K.  I  have  other  work  to  do,  Mr.  Attorney, 
than  to  number  my  auditory,  when  I  am  about  to  preach 
to  them. 

Mr.  Attor.      Was  there  above  five  hearing  you? 

Mr.  Mc  K.     Yes,  and  five  to  tliat, 

17 


130     Histort/  of  the  Church  in  New-York. 

the  glaring  and  shameful  partiality  of  the  court, 
he  was  not  discharged  from  his  recognizance  un- 
til they  had  illegally  extorted  from  him  all  the 
fees  of  his  prosecution,  which,  together  with  his 
expenses,  amounted  to  between  two  and  three 
hundred  dollars. 

These  proceedings  were  not  only  in  the  highest 
degree  vinjust  and  oppressive  ;  but  they  had  not 
even  a  shadow  of  law  to  support  them.  The  act 
of  the  provincial  assembly,  passed  in  1693,  ^^  For 
settling  a  ministry  in  the  city  of  New^Yorh,  and 
counties  of  Richmond^  West  Chester  and  Queens,'^ 


Mr.  Attor,  Did  you  use  the  rights  and  ceremonies  en" 
joined  by^  and  prescribed  in  the  book  of  Common  Prayer^ 
by  the  Church  of  England  ? 

Mr.  Mc.  K.  No.  I  never  did,  nor  never  will,  until  I 
am  better  satisfied  in  ray  conscience. 

Mr.  Attor.  Did  you  ask  leave^  or  acquaint  my  lord 
Cornbury  with  your  fireaching  at  York^  ivhen  you  dined 
Hvith  him  at  the  Fort  ? 

Mr.  Mc  K,  I  did  not  know  of  my  preach:  )g  at  Yorky 
when  I  dined  with  his  Excellency  ;  no,  not  for  some  days 
after.  For  when  we  came  to  York-^  we  had  not  the  least 
intention,  or  design  of  preaching  there  ;  but  stopped  at 
York-i  purely  to  pay  our  respects  to  the  governor,  which 
we  did  J  but  being  afterwards  called,  and  invited  to 
preach,  as  I  am  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  I  durst  not  deny 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-York,      131 

and  which  was  the  only  law  on  the  subject  then 
in  force,  merely  provided  for  the  induction  and 
support  of  "  a  good  and  sufficient  Protestant  mi- 
nister," in  each  of  those  counties  ;  leaving  all  de- 
nominations on  a  perfect  parity.  It  was  even  by 
a  mere  arbitrary  construction,  that  the  terms, 
^'  good  and  sufficient  Protestant  minister,"  were 
considered  as  meaning  a  minister  of  the  Episco- 
pal denomination ;  for  there  was  nothing  in  the 
law  that  rendered  such  a  construction  necessary. 
This  construction,  however,  was  adopted  and  act- 
ed upon ;  and  the  Presbyterians,  feeble  and  op- 
pressed, were  compelled,  for  the  greater  part 

preaching,  nor  I  hope  I  never  shall,  where  it  is  wanting 
and  desired. 

Mr.  Attor.  Did  you  not  acquaint  my  lord  Cornbury 
with  the  filace  of  your  p.r caching  ? 

Mr.  Mc  K.  As  soon  as  I  determined  to  preach,  leave 
was  asked,  though  not  by  mc  ;  for  it  was  the  people's  bu- 
siness, and  not  mine,  to  provide  a  place  for  me  to  preach 
in.  And  I  would  have  been  admitted  to  preach  in  the 
Dutch  church ;  but  they  were  afraid  of  offending  lord 
Cornbury.  And  Mr.  Anthony  Young,  went  to  the  go- 
vernor, to  have  his  leave,  or  permission,  fo^r  my  preach- 
ing in  the  Dutch  church  ;  though  all  this  was  done  with- 
out so  much  as  my  knowledge  :  but  my  lord  opposing 
and  denying  it,  I  was  under  a  necessity  of  preaching 
where  I  did,  in  a  private  house,  though  in  a  public  man- 
ner, with  open  doors. 


132       Histort/  of  the  ChurcTi  in  New-York, 

of  a  century,  besides  supporting  their  own  churchy 
to  contribute  their  quota  toward  the  support  of  the 
Episcopal  church,  already  enriched  by  govern- 
mental favour. 

The  small  body  of  Presbyterians,  above  men- 
tioned, however,  notwithstanding  the  signal  op- 
pression which  the}^  experienced  in  this  instance, 
were  not  discouraared.  The  removal  of  their  bit- 
ter  enemy,  lord  Cornbury,  from  the  government 
of  New-York^  which  took  place  in  1708,  was  fa- 
voura'/le  to  their  prosperity*.  They  kept  to- 
gether, and  continued,  with  few  interruptions,  and 

*  Lord  Cornbury  was  the  son  of  the  Earl  of  Claren^ 
don.  "  Hunted  out  of  England  by  a  host  of  hungry  cre» 
*'  ditors  ;  bent  upon  accumulating  as  much  wealth  as  hs 
"  could  squeeze  from  the  purses  of  an  impoverished 
<<  people  ;  and  animated  with  unequalled  zeal  for  the 
"  Episcopal  church,  he  commenced  his  administration, 
"  as  successor  of  lord  Bellamont^  May  3d,  1702.  He  was 
*'  trifling,  mean,  and  extravagant.  Never  was  there  a  go- 
*'  vernor  of  JVeiv-York  so  universally  detested,  or  so  de- 
"  serving  of  abhorrence.  The  cries  of  the  oppressed^ 
"  reaching  the  ears  of  the  Queen,  in  1708,  she  appointed 
^'  lord  Lovelace  governor  in  his  stead.  As  soon  as  Corn" 
"  bury  was  superseded,  his  creditors  threw  him  into  the 
"  custody  of  the  sheriff  oi  jVeiv-York  :  but  after  the  death 
"  of  his  father,  he  was  permitted  to  return  to  England, 
"  and  succeeded  to  the  Earldom  of  Clarendon.'*     SmiUi* 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-York,     135 

with  a  gradual  increase  of  their  nuijiber,  to  meet 
for  worship,  without  a  minister,  until  the  year 
1716,  when  JoJin  Nicoll,  Patrick  Mc  Knight^ 
Gilbert  Livingston^  Thomas  Smith,  and  a  few 
others,  conceived  the  plan  of  forming"  themselves 
into  a  regular  Presbyterian  church,  and  calling 
a  stated  pastor.  They  immediately  took  mea- 
sures for  that  purpose  ;  and,  in  the  summer  of  the 
same  year,  gave  a  call  to  Vhe  Reverend  James 
Anderson,  a  native  of  Scotland,  then  residing  in 
the  town  of  New-Castle,  in  Delaware,  to  be  their 
minister  *.  The  call  was  refened,  by  the  Pres- 
bytery, to  a  Commission  of  the  Synod  of  P/a- 
ladelphia,  who  decided,  in  the  month  of  Se  - 
tember,  that  Mr.  Anderson  ought  to  accept  tlie 
call.  He  accordingly  accepted  it ;  and  remov- 
ed, with  his  family,  to  New-  York,  toward  the  lat- 
ter  end  of  Ociober  following. 

For  near  three  years  after  Mr.  Andersons set- 

*  Mr.  Jnderson  was  born  November  17,  1678.  He 
was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  Irvine,  November  17, 
1708.  He  left  Scotland,  March  6th,  1709  ;  and  arrived 
at  Rapfiahannock,m  Virginia,  the  22d  of  April  following-. 
He  became  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelfihia 
September  1710  j  and  settled  in  JSfenU'Castle  a  short  time 
afterwards. 


134      History  of  the  Church  in  Nerv-Yorh 

tlement  in  New-York^  he  and  his  infant  congre- 
gation assembled  for  public  worship  in  the  Ct7y- 
Hall,  the  use  of  which  was  liberally  granted 
them  for  that  purpose,  by  the  corporation  of  the 
city.  In  J  718,  the  four  gentlemen  last  named, 
purchased  a  piece  of  ground  in  Wall-street, 
near  Broadrvay,  on  which,  in  the  year  1719,  they 
erected  the  first  Presbyterian  church,  that  was 
founded  in  the  city  of  New-York,  To  meet  the 
expenses  which  attended  this  pious  enterprise, 
their  own  subscriptions,  and  the  donations  which 
they  received  from  the  few,  of  other  denomina- 
tions in  the  city,  who  favoured  their  plan,  were 
by  no  means  sufficient.  To  assist  them,  a  pub- 
lic collection  was  taken  up  for  their  benefit  in 
the  colony  of  Connecticut ;  and  a  still  larger 
collection  in  Scotland,  by  order  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  that  church.  This  last  was  effect- 
ed chiefly,  under  Providence,  by  the  indefatigable 
xeal  and  exertions  of  Dr.  John  Nicoll,  an  emi- 
nent physician  oi Nerv-York,  who  early  cast  in  his 
lot  with  the  Presbyterians  of  that  city,  and  who, 
for  a  number  of  years,  did  more  than  all  others, 
to  promote  the  interests  of  their  church  *.     JHe 

*  Dr.  John  J\ricoll  was  born  in  Scotland^  and  obtained 
a  liberal  education  in  the  arts  and  sciences,  and  in  medi- 
cine, in  the  university  of  Edinburghy  where  he  was  gra- 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-Yorh,     135 

took  a  voyage  to  Scotland  for  the  purpose  of  en- 
gaging- the  interest  of  the  General  Assembly  in 
behalf  of  this  infant  church,  and  at  length  suc- 
ceeded in  accomplishing  his  purpose. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1720,  Mr.  Anderson^ 
and  the  officers  of  his  church,  presented  a  peti- 
tion to  Peter  Schuyler,  esquire,  president  of  the 
king's  council,  in  the  absence  of  governor  Hun^ 
ter,  praying  for  a  charter  (^f  incorporation.  The 
president  was  himself  friendly  to  the  prayer  of 
the  petition,  and  the  council,  at  first,  reported  in 

duated.  His  exertions  in  behalf  of  the  church  in  J^ew- 
York,  were  as  useful  as  they  were  unwearied.  He  died 
in  the  year  1743,  in  the  64th  year  of  his  age.  In  a  ser- 
mon, preached  on  the  occasion  of  his  death  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Pemberton,  at  that  time  the  pastor  of  the  church,  and 
which  was  afterwards  printed,  the  following  paragraph 
is  found.  "  These  walls  will  be  a  lasting  monument  of 
"  his  zeal  for  the  house  and  the  public  worship  of  God  ; 
"  in  the  erecting  of  which  he  spent  a  considerable  part  of 
"  his  estate,  and  undertook  a  hazardous  voyage  to  Eu' 
*<  rofie,  for  the  establishment  and  security  of  this  infant 
"  society.  Upon  these,  and  other  accounts,  too  nume- 
"  rous  to  be  mentioned,  while  a  Presbyterian  church  sub- 
"  sists  in  the  city  of  JVeiv-York,  the  name  of  Nicoll  will 
"  ever  be  remembered  with  honour,  as  one  of  its  prin- 

"  CIPAL  JOUNDERS,  AND  ITS  GREATEST  BENEFACTOR." 


136     History  oftlie  Church  in  New-York, 

favour  of  grasiting  it.  But  the  hopes  of  the  pe- 
titioners were  frustrated  by  the  interference,  and 
zealous  exertions  of  the  vestry  of  Trinity  church, 
against  their  application.  A  member  of  that 
vestry  appeared,  officially,  before  the  council, 
and  strongly  opposed  their  granting  the  solicited 
charter;  in  consequence  of  which  it  was  finally 
reiused. 

Soon  after  Governor  Burnet's  arrival,  in  th6 
autumn  of  1720,  Mr.  And  rson  and  his  church 
renewed  their  application  for  a  charter.  The 
governor  himself  spoke  favourably  of  their  de- 
sign, and  professed  himself  their  friend  ;  but  they 
were  again  defeated,  by  the  determined  resistance 
of  the  vestry  of  Trinity  church. 

Mr.  Anderson,  though  a  man  of  talents,  learn- 
ing, and  piety,  and  a  graceful,  popular  preach- 
er, had  not  been  long  settled  as  the  pastor  of  the 
church  in  New-  York,  before  some  serious  dissa- 
tisfaction arose  between  him  and  a  portion  of  his 
people.  A  considerable  number  of  them  having 
been  accustomed  to  the  less  rigid  habits  of  the 
Presbyterian  and  Congregational  churches  of 
South- Britain,  were  not  pleased  with  the  strict 
Presbyterianism,  according  to  the  Scottish  mo- 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-York.     137 

del,  which  he  endeavoured  to  enforce.  They 
charged  him  with  a  spirit  of  ecclesiastical  do- 
mination, and  with  an  improper  interference  in 
the  temporal  concerns  of  the  church.  On  these 
accounts  the  uneasiness  of  the  dissatisfied  party 
became  at  length  so  great,  that  in  the  year  1722, 
they  drew  off  from  the  body  of  the  congrega- 
tion ;  formed  themselves  into  a  distinct  society ; 
and  worshipped,  it  is  believed,  in  a  small  build- 
ing, in  William-street,  between  Liberty  and 
Wall-streets,  for  a  number  of  months*. 

The  new  society,  soon  after  their  organization, 
invited  Mr.  Jonathan  Edwards,  afterwards  pre- 
sident of  the  college  of  New-Jersey,  and  then  a 
candidate  for  the  gospel  ministry,  to  come  and 
preach  to  them.  He  accordingly  came,  about 
the  beginning  of  August,   1722,  and  supplied 

*  Of  this  new  society,  which  broke  off  from  the  pa- 
rent church,  but  few  of  the  members  are  now  known. 
It  is  believed  that  the  honourable  William  Smithy  a  native 
of  J^eivfiort'Pagnel^  in  Rngland^  who  came  to  Kew-York 
in  1715,  and  who  became  eminent,  as  a  Counsellor  at  law, 
as  a  Judge,  and  as  a  member  of  the  king's  council,  was 
the  leader.  He  returned  to  the  original  church,  not  long 
afterwards  ;  and  was,  for  near  40  years,  among  her  most 
active,  useful,  and  important  members. 

18 


138     Hidory  of  the  Church  in  New-Yorh 

their  pulpit  to  good  acceptance,  until  the  latter 
end  of  the  following  April  ;  when,  finding  the 
congregation  too  small  to  support  a  minister, 
and  perceiving  some  unexpected  difficulties  to 
arise,  he  left  the  city,  and  returned  to  his  fa- 
ther s  house,  at  Windsor,  in  Connecticut"^ ,     He 

*  The  Reverend  Jonathan  Edwards^  was  born  at. 
jrindsor,  in  Connecticut^  October  5th,  1703.  He  receiv- 
ed his  education  at  Yale-College^  where  he  graduated 
bachelor  of  arts  in  1720.  He  was  licensed  to  preach 
the  gospel,  and  actually  commenced  his  labours  in  J\''e'iV' 
York,  before  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  In  1727  he 
was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  at 
Xorthamfiton,  in  Massachusetts  ;  and  in  1757  was  elected 
President  of  the  college  oUVeiv- Jersey,  where  he  died,  in 
March,  1758,  in  less  than  two  months  after  his  induc- 
tion into  office,  in  the  55th  year  of  his  age.  Mr.  Ed- 
nvards  possessed  an  acuteness,  vigour,  and  comprehen- 
siveness of  mind,  which  unquestionably  place  him  in  the 
very  first  rank  of  great  men  belonging  to  the  age  in 
which  he  lived.  His  Inquiry  into  the  Freedom  of  the  Will, 
has  been  pronounced,  by  the  best  judges,  to  be  "  one  of  the 
greatest  efforts  of  the  human  mind  ;"  and  has  been  con- 
sidered and  quoted,  ever  since  its  publication,  as  a  great 
standard  work  on  the  subject  of  which  it  treats.  His 
work  on  Original  Sin,  is  little,  if  at  all,  inferior  to  the 
former  :  and  his  treatise  on  Religious  Jffections  is  among 
the  most  deep,  clear,  and  discriminating  works  on  the 
evidences  of  vital  piety,  that  the  world  ever  »aw.  It  is  one 
of  the  honours  of  the  Presbyterian  church  o^  A\nv-York, 


History  of  the  Church  in  Nerv-Yorh.     139 

was  earnestly  solicited  indeed  by  the  congrega- 
tion to  pay  them  another  visit ;  but  judging  from 
what  he  saw,  when  among  them,  that  it  was  not 
his  duty,  he  declined  a  compliance  with  their  se- 
cond invitation.  Whether  they  ever  called  any 
other  preacher ;  and  how  long  they  continued  in 
a  state  of  separation  from  the  main  body  of  the 
church,  is  not  known.  It  is  believed,  however, 
that  soon  after  ]\Ir.  Edwards  left  them,  they  per- 
ceived the  impossibility  of  their  going  on  with 
comfort  as  a  separate  congregation,  and  quietly 
returned  to  their  old  connexion. 

In  the  summer  of  the  year  1726,  Mr.  Anderson 
received  a  call  from  New-Donnefjcd,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, which  he  accepted  ;  and  removed  thither 
with  his  family,  in  the  month  of  October  follow- 
ing 3  where  he  died,  July  16th,  1740. 

In  the  month  of  April,  1727,  Mr.  Ebenezer 
Pemberton,  a  licentiate,  of  the  town  of  Boston, 
paid  a  visit  to  the  vacant  church  in  New-York, 
and  preached  to  such  acceptance,  that  all  par- 
ties united  in  giving  him  an  affectionate  and  ur- 
g-ent  call  to  become  their  pastor.     Mr.  Pemher- 

that  a  portion  of  it  enjoyed,  for  eight  months,  the  preach- 
inff  of  Jonathan  Edwards. 


140     History  of  the  Church  in  New-York, 

ton  accepted  this  call,  and  immediately  returned 
to  Boston,  where  he  was  ordained  to  the  work  of 
the  g-ospel  ministry,  on  the  9th  of  August  in  the 
same  year,  with  a  special  view  to  his  taking  charge 
of  tlie  church  in  New- York,  by  the  association 
which  had  licensed  him.  Soon  after  his  ordina- 
tion, he  came  back,  and  entered  on  his  pastoral 
charge*.  Mr.  Pemherton,  was  a  respectable, 
diligent,  and  useful  preacher,  and  pastor.  The 
church  prospered  under  his  ministrations ;  and  he 
held  a  conspicuous  and  honourable  place  among 
the  ministers  of  the  city. 

After  repeated  attempts,  for  several  years,  to 
obtain  an  act  of  incorporation,  without  success ; 
the  congregation,  feeling  that  the  tenure  by  which 

*  The  Rev.  Ebenezer  Pemherton^  was  the  son  of  a  dis- 
tinguished clergyman  of  the  same  name.  He  was  born 
in  Boston  in  the  year  1704,  and  was  graduated  at  Har- 
vard college  in  1721.  Soon  after  his  licensure,  he  vi- 
sited J^eW'York,  where  he  afterwards  settled.  When  he 
left  J^enV'Yorky  in  1753,  he  returned  to  Bosto7i^  and  be- 
came pastor  of  the  Afew  Brick  church  in  that  town,  as  the 
successor  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Welsteed ;  where  he  continu- 
ed until  his  death,  which  took'place,  September[9, 1777,  in 
the  73d  year  of  his  age.  Mr.  Pemberton^  after  his  re- 
moval to  Boston,  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divi- 
nity from  the  college  of  jVeiu- Jersey. 


History  of  the  Church  in  Nefv-York.      141 

they  held  their  property  was  insecure;  and  fearing" 
that  the  same  religious  sect  which  had  opposed 
the  granting  of  their  request,  would  watch  for  an 
opportunity  to  give  tliera  a  more  fatal  blow^, 
determined  to  take  decisive  measures  to  secure 
themselves.  Accordingly  the  individuals  who 
had  been  invested  with  the  fee  simple  of  their 
church  and  ^'ound  in  Wallstreetf  ^'  conveyed  it, 
**  on  the  16th  of  March,  1730,  to  the  moderator 
"  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  church  of  Scot- 
"  kind,  and  the  commission  thereof;  the  modera- 
tor of  the  Presbytery  of  Edinburgh  ;  the  prin- 
cipal of  the  College  of  Edinburgh  j  the  profes- 
sor of  divinity  therein  ;  and  the  procurator  and 
agent  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  for  the  time 
being,  and  their  successors  in  office,  as  a  com- 
mittee of  the  General  Assembly/'  And  on 
the  loth  day  of  August,  173^,  the  church  of 
Scotland,  by  an  instrument  under  the  seal  of  the 
General  Assembly,  and  signed  by  Mr  Neil 
Campbell,  principal  of  the  university  of  Glasgow, 
and  moderator  of  the  General  Assembly  and 
commission  thereof;  Mr.  James  Nesbit,  one  of 
the  xmrn^leva  oi  Edinburgh,  and  moderator  of  the 
presbytery  of  Edinburgh;  Mr.  William  Hamil- 

*  See  Smith's  History  of  Mw-York,  p.  209,  210. 


it 
u 


6i 


142     History  of  the  Church  in  New-York^ 

ton,  principal  of  the  university  of  Edinburgh; 
Mr.  James  Smith,  professor  of  divinity  therein ; 
and  Mr.  William  Grant,  advocate,  procurator  for 
the  church  of  Scotland  for  the  time  being,  pur- 
suant to  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly,  dated 
May,  1731,  did  declare,  "  That  notwithstand- 
"  ing  the  aforesaid  right  made  to  them,  and  their 
successors  in  office,  they  were  desirous  that  the 
aforesaid  building  and  edifice,  and  appurtenan- 
"  ces  thereof,  be  preserved  for  the  pious  and 
*'  religious  purposes,  for  which  the  same  were 
«*  designed ;  and  that  it  should  be  free  and  lawful 
"  to  the  Presbyterians,  then  residing,  or  that 
should,  at  any  tim.e  thereafter,  be  resident  in, 
or  near,  the  aforesaid  city  of  New-Yoik,  in 
America,  or  others  joining  with  them,  to  con- 
"  vene  in  the  aforesaid  church,  for  the  worship 
*'  of  God  in  all  the  parts  thereof,  and  for  the  dis- 
pensation of  all  gospel  ordinances  ;  and  gener- 
ally to  use  and  occupy  the  said  church,  and  its 
appurtenances,  fully  and  freely,  in  all  times  com- 
ing, they  maintainmg  and  supporting  the  edifice 
and  appurtenances  at  their  own  charge  *." 


As  lono-  as  Dr.  NicoUYvwed.,  the  management 


*  Smith's  Hhtory  of  J^civ  Yorky  p.  210. 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-York,     143 

of  the  temporal  concerns  of  the  church,  was,  by 
common  consent,  committed  abiiost  unreserved- 
ly to  his  care.  He  conducted  them  with  so  much 
fidelity  and  judgment,  that  very  little  real  incon- 
venience was  experienced  from  the  want  of  a 
charter,  and  of  a  regular  board  of  trustees. 
From  the  period  of  his  death,  in  1743,  a  differ- 
ent method  began  to  be  pursued.  The  congre- 
gation agreed  to  place  the  management  of  their 
temporalities  in  the  hands  of  a  number  of  gentle- 
men, under  the  name  of  trustees,  though  with- 
out their  corporate  powers.  A  plan  was  drawn  up 
for  this  purpose,  specifying  the  nature  of  the  trust, 
and  the  extent  of  the  powers  committed  to  them  ; 
and  eight  persons  were  fixed  upon,  at  a  parish  meet- 
ing, for  the  execution  of  this  plan.  Of  this  num- 
ber two  were  to  go  out  every  year,  and  two  new 
ones  to  be  chosen  in  their  room,  by  the  trustees 
themselves ;  reserving,  however,  to  the  congre- 
gation at  large  a  right  to  interfere  in  the  mode  of 
appointing  trustees,  when  it  should  be  thought 
necessary. 

The  congregation,  though  gradually  increas- 
ing, continued  very  small,  until  the  year  1739,  in 
which,  and  in  the  two  following  years,  God  was 
pleased  to  visit  it,  in  common  with  many  other 


144     History  of  the  Church  in  New-YorU, 

parts  of  the  then  American  colonies,  with  a  re- 
markable effusion  of  his  Holy  Spirit.  Mr.  Pember- 
ton  was  greatly  quickened  and  animated  in  his; 
work ',  the  preaching  of  the  word  was  attended 
with  uncommon  power ;  sinners  were  hopefully 
convinced  and  converted ;  saints  were  edified 
and  comforted ;  and  numbers  were  added  to  the 
church. 

In  the  year  1740,  the  celebrated  Mr.  White" 
field  first  visited  New-Yorh.  Mr.  Pemherton  was 
the  only  clergyman  in  the  city  who  invited  that 
apostolic  man  to  his  pulpit.  The  consequences 
were,  to  him  and  his  people,  happy.  Mr.  White- 
field's  preaching  was  made  a  blessing  to  many. 
Thousands,  of  different  denominations,  flocked  to 
the  church  to  hear  him ;  a  number  of  families  and 
individuals  who  found  benefit,  continued  to  wor- 
ship there  ;  some  of  whom  became  regular  mem- 
bers. From  this  source,  therefore,  and  on  this 
occasion,  the  church  received  very  important 
additions.  In  the  mean  time,  Mr.  Pemherton 
himself  was  abundant  in  his  labours,  and  happy 
in  his  success.  The  small  edifice  in  which  hi» 
church  worshipped  was  soon  filled,  and  began  to 
overflow.  In  a  little  while  it  became  necessary 
to  erect  galleries  in  it,  of  which  it  was  destitute 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-York,     145 

before ;  and  even  with  the  addition  of  these,  it 
was,  not  long  afterwards,  found  too  small  to 
accommodate  the  worshippers. 

Under  these  circumstances,  an  enlargement  of 
the  building  was  thought  adviseable.  According- 
ly, in  the  year  1748,  it  was  enlarged,  nearly  a 
a  third,  to  the  size  at  which  it  remained  until  the 
beginning  of  the  year  1810,  when  it  was  taken 
down,  to  make  way  for  the  present  edifice.  Mr. 
Whitefield  visited  New-York  repeatedly  in  the 
course  of  his  long  stay  in  America,  from  1744 
to  1748  ',  and  his  preaching  there,  as  well  as  else- 
where, was  eminently  popular  and  successful. 
It  must  always  be  reckoned  among  the  signal 
honours,  and  great  advantages  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church  in  New-York,  that  it  enjoyed  so  large 
a  portion  of  the  American  labours,  of  that  extra- 
ordinary servant  of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  congregation  still  continuing  to  increase, 

and  the  labours  of  the  pulpit  and  of  the  parish 

being  considered  as  too  great  for  an  individual,  it 

was  thought  proper  to  call  a  colleague  for  Mr. 

Pemherton.     The    attention    of  the  people  was 

soon  directed  toward  the  Rev.  Alexander  Cum- 

minc/f  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  oi  New-Bruns- 

19 


146     History  of  the  Church  in  New-York. 

ivick,  and  a  young"  g-eiitleman  of  eminent  talents 
and  piety  ^.  On  paying  them  a  visit,  he  preached 
so  much  to  their  acceptance,  that  they  gave  him  a 
unanimous  call  to  be  one  of  their  pastors.  He  ac- 
cepted the  call,  and  was  installed  collegiate  pastor 
of  their  church,  in  the  month  of  October,  in  the  year 
1750.  Mr.  Cumming  M^as  a  man  of  a  remarkably 
clear  and  discriminating  mind  ;  a  close  student; 
and  an  instructive,  excellent  preacher.  He  had 
a  singularly  happy  faculty  of  disentangling  and 
exhibiting  the  most  abstruse  and  intricate  sub- 
jects ;  and  was  peculiarly  acceptable  to  the  more 
discerning  classes  of  his  hearers. 

But  no  happiness  is  complete,  no  tranquillity 

*  The  Rev.  Alexander  Cumming^  the  son  of  Mr.  Robert 
Camming^  from  Montrose.,  in  Scotland,  was  born  at  Free- 
hold, JVewJerseij,  in  the  year  1726.  Me  received  his 
academical  education  partly  at  Freehold,  and  partly  un- 
der the  direction  of  his  uncle,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Blair,  at 
Fogg's  Manor,  in  Pennsylvania.  He  studied  theology  in 
his  native  place,  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  William  Ten- 
nent.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel,  by  the  Pres- 
bytery of  New'Brunsmck,  in  1746  or  1747  ;  and  in  a 
short  time  afterwards  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  and  installed  pastor  of  the  church  in  the  city  of 
JSi'eiD-lirunswick,  where  he  resided  several  years  before 
his  removal  to  J^eiv-York. 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-York*      147 

permanent,  in  this  world.  Though  the  congre- 
gation had  been,  for  some  time,  greatly  prosper- 
ed ;  and  though  its  members  had  every  reason  to 
rejoice  in  the  character  of  their  ministers,  and  in 
the  goodness  and  grace  of  their  God ;  yet  a  root 
of  bitterness  soon  began  to  spring  up,  which  in- 
terrupted their  comfort,  and  finally  produced  the 
most  unhappy  fruits. 

A  large  and  respectable  portion  of  the  congre- 
gation consisted  of  emigrants  from  Scotland  and 
the  north  of  Ireland.  These  were  universally  at- 
tached to  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  church 
of  Scotland,  and  lamented  every  departure  from 
that  model.  Another  and  highly  influential  por- 
tion, having  emigrated  either  from  South- Biitain, 
or  from  Nerv-England,  rather  leaned  to  the  more 
lax  plan  of  church  order  which  prevailed  in  their 
respective  countries.  As  Mr.  Pemberton,  their 
old  pastor,  had  received  his  education  in  Nefv- 
England,  and  probably  felt  an  attachment  to  the 
religious  habits  of  his  early  life,  there  is  reason 
to  suppose  that  his  inclinations  and  his  influence 
coincided  with  the  wishes  of  the  latter.  And  as 
Mr.  Gumming,  though  educated  a  Presbyterian, 
settled,  not  long  after,  in  a  congregational  church, 
it  is  more  than  likely  that  he  had  no  insuperable 


148      History  of  the  Church  in  Neiv-York. 

objections  to  the  congregational  form  of  govern- 
ment. However  this  may  be,  it  is  certain  that,  for 
some  time  prior  to  the  year  1 750,  the  Presbyterian 
plan  had  not  been  strictly  adhered  to,  in  the  church 
oi Nerv-York.  There  were  deacons,  but  no  ruling 
ciders.  Such  of  the  trustees  as  were  communi- 
cants, together  with  the  deacons,  acted  as  a  sort 
of  committee  for  assisting  the  minister  in  the  ex- 
ercise of  discipline.  In  short,  in  conducting  the 
internal  affairs  of  the  church,  under  the  name  of 
Presbyterianism,  the  Congregational  system  was 
really  adopted  and  maintained. 

This  circumstance  gave  great  dissatisfaction 
to  the  friends  of  genuine,  consistent  Presbyterian- 
ism. It  grieved  them,  not  merely  as  a  departure 
from  their  ancient  habits ;  but  also  as  less  adapt- 
ed to  edification,  than  a  different  course.  They 
also  complained  of  the  conduct  of  the  trustees. 
They  alleged  that  that  body,  chosen  by  the  peo- 
ple to  manage  the  temporalities  of  the  church, 
had  officiously  and  improperly  interfered  in  its 
spiritual  concerns.  And,  as  the  most  effectual 
method  of  obviating  all  these  difficulties,  they 
m'o-ed,  the  election  and  ordination  of  a  bench  of 
riding  elders,  who  should  judicially  conduct  the 
discipline  of  the   church,   and   leave  the   other 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-York.      149 

classes  of  officers  to  act,  each  in  their  appropriate 
sphere.  The  opposing  party,  however,  were  by 
no  means  disposed  to  acquiesce  in  this  plan. 
Things  proceeded  in  their  former  conrse^  and 
the  uneasiness  continued  without  abatement. 

After  a  short  time,  this  uneasiness  received  im- 
portant addition  from  a  new  source.  In  1752, 
there  was  an  attempt  made  to  introduce  into  the 
church  a  new  version  of  the  book  of  Psahiis. 
Until  this  time.  Rouse  s,  or,  as  it  is  commonly  call- 
ed, the  "  old  Scotch  version,"  had  been  in  con- 
stant use  in  public  worship.  The  greater  part 
of  those  who  had  been  accustomed  to  this  version, 
wished  still  to  retain  it.  Those  who  wished  for 
a  change,  were  not  agreed  among  themselves. 
A  few  leading  individuals  of  this  party,  were  de- 
sirous of  adopting  the  version  of  Tate  and  Brady, 
but  a  great  majority  were  very  decisive  and  zeal- 
ous in  their  preference  of  Dr.  Watts  imitation. 
In  this  controversy  the  trustees  took  the  lead, 
and  were  far  from  being  so  judicious  and  tender 
in  their  mode  of  conducting  it,  as  many  supposed 
they  ought  to  have  been.  Indeed  there  appears 
to  have  been  a  degree  of  animosity  and  violence 
on  all  sides,  which  could  by  no  means  be  justifi- 
ed. The  party  in  favour  of  Dr.  Watts'  psalms 
at  length  prevailed,  and  they  were  introduced. 


150      History  of  the  Church  in  New-York, 

This  event,  however,  was  very  far  from  allay- 
ing the  ferment.  The  portion  of  the  people 
who  favoured  strict  Presbyterianisni,  and  the  old 
version  of  Psalms,  determined  to  apply  to  the 
Presbytery  for  direction  and  advice  ;  and  in  this 
application  the  other  party,  at  length,  appear  to 
have  concurred.  The  Presbytery  was  accord- 
ingly consulted  on  these  subjects,  in  the  month 
of  September,  1752.  That  body,  knowing  the 
importance  and  difficulty  of  deciding  in  the  case, 
referred  the  whole  controversy  to  the  Synod, 
which  met  a  few  days  afterwards,  at  Newark,  in 
New-Jersey.  The  Synod  took  up  the  reference, 
and  with  great  deliberation  and  judgment  decided 
on  the  several  articles  of  complaint.  They  di- 
rected that  ruling  elders  be  immediately  chosen 
and  set  apart  in  the  congregation.  They  gave 
leave  to  continue  the  use  of  Dr.  Watts  imitation 
of  the  psalms  of  David,  as  orthodox  and  evan- 
gelical, especially  as  it  appeared  to  be  the  choice 
of  a  majority ;  but  they  expressed  their  disappro- 
bation of  the  manner  in  which  it  had  been  intro- 
duced, by  a  vote  of  the  trustees,  and  a  few  other 
persons,  without  formally  consulting  the  body  of 
the  church. 

A  committee,  appointed  by  the  Synod,  came 
over  to  the  city,  the  next  week,  to  counsel  and 


History  of  the  Church  in  Nerv-  York,      151 

aid  the  coagTeg-ation  in  carrying  these  decisions 
into  effect.  They  saw  the  order,  respecting  the 
choice  and  setting  apart  of  elders,  executed  with- 
out delay  :  and  their  prudent  advice  and  exertions 
were  of  much  use  in  allaying  the  heat  of  the  ani- 
mosity which  prevailed,  and  in  inducing  both  par- 
ties to  recede,  in  a  degree,  from  their  demands 
and  criminations. 

But  the  spirit  of  contention  had  become  too  in- 
veterate to  be  speedily  and  eiiectually  removed. 
Animosities,  though  allayed,  were  not  extinguish- 
ed. The  want  of  prudence,  and  of  a  spirit  of 
forbear^ree  and  conciliation,  was  manifested,  in 
a  lamentable  degree,  by  both  parties.  And  it 
became,  in  a  little  while,  apparent,  that  much 
more  remained  to  be  done,  before  peace  and  har- 
mony could  be  restored. 

Hitherto  these  contentions  had  been  confined 
to  the  members  of  the  congregation.  The  pas- 
tors, though  known  to  have  opinions  on  the  se- 
veral subjects  which  became  grounds  of  uneasi- 
ness, had  as  yet  been  able  to  stand,  in  a  great  mea- 
sure, aloof  from  the  contention,  and  to  maintain 
a  good  understanding  with  both  parties.  This, 
however,  in  seme  measure,  ceased  to  be  the  case 


152      History  of  the  Church  in  New-Yorh. 

in  1753.  In  that  year  the  party  favourable  to 
strict  Presbyterian  discipline,  and  to  the  old  ver- 
sion of  Psalms,  began  to  prefer  complaints  against 
the  ministers,  as  well  as  against  their  opponents 
in  the  congregation.  They  complained  of  the 
ministers — For  giving  exhortations  at  funerals, 
when  requested  by  the  friends  of  deceased  per- 
sons to  do  so  : — For  not  paying  formal  ministeri- 
al visits,  according  to  the  usage  of  the  church  of 
Scotland: — For  making  the  introductory  pray- 
er, in  public  worship,  reading  the  scriptures,  and 
giving  out  the  first  psalm,  from  the  clerk's  desk, . 
instead  of  the  pulpit :  and  finally,  for  secretly  fa- 
vouring the  introduction  of  the  new  system  of 
psalmody.  These  complaints  were  laid  before 
the  Presbytery,  together  with  some  new  grounds 
of  uneasiness  which  had  arisen  among  the  peo- 
ple themselves ;  and  were,  by  that  body,  as  in 
the  former  instance,  referred  to  the  Synod  of 
NeW'York,  which  met  in  Philadelphia,  in  the  be- 
ginning of  October,  1753.  The  Synod  after 
hearing  the  reference,  appointed  a  large  and  res- 
pectable committee  of  their  body  to  meet  in  New- 
York,  on  the  24th  day  of  the  same  month,  to  ex- 
amine and  decide  upon  all  the  grounds  of  unea- 
siness which  had  been  exhibited  to  them.  The 
committee  met  on  the  day  appointed  ',  and  after 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-York,      153 

8  full  and  patient  bearing*  of  all  parties,  complete- 
ly exculpated  the  ministers  from  the  charges  pre*- 
ferred  against  them  ;  and  decided  with  much  wis- 
dom on  all  the  other  grounds  of  mutual  complaint 
between  the  different  parties  in  the  congregation. 
And  liaving  exhorted  the  parties,  with  great  so- 
lemnity and  tenderness,  to  lay  aside  all  animosity, 
and  to  study  the  things  which  make  for  peace^, 
they  adjounied  till  the  next  morning. 

The  next  day  Mr.  Pemherton  and  Mr.  Cwm* 
miny  appeared  before  the  committee  of  Synod, 
and  requested  to  be  dismissed  from  their  pastoral 
charge.  The  reasons  which  they  assigned  for 
this  request,  were  the  unhappy  divisions  subsist- 
ing among  the  people  ;  the  appearances  of  dissa- 
tisfaction on  the  part  of  the  people  tow  ard  them  j 
and  the  small  prospect  of  success,  under  these  cir- 
cumstances, in  their  future  ministrations.  In  ad- 
dition to  these  considerations,  Mr.  Cumming 
urged  the  feeble  and  declining  state  of  his  health, 
which  rendered  him  altogether  incapable  ot  ful- 
filling the  duties  of  his  office. 

Mr.  Cumming  s  situation  forbidding  delay,  the 

committee  granted  his  request,  and,  on  the  2jth 

day  of  October,  1753,  dissolved  the  pastoral  re- 

20 


154      Hislory  of  the  Church  in  New-York, 

latioii  which  he  had  borne  about  three  years.. 
His  dismission  was  a  most  honourable  one,  and 
was  accompanied  with  ample  testimonials  of  his 
excellent  christian,  and  ministerial  standing*^. 
Mr.  Pemherton,  being  in  good  health,  and  having* 
endeared  himself  by  a  long  and  useful  residence 
of  twenty-six  years  with  the  congregation,  the  op- 
position made  to  his  dismission  was  warmer  and 
more  serious :  so  great,  indeed,  was  the  opposi- 
tion, that  the  committee  of  Synod  determined  not 
to  comply  with  his  request  immediately ;  but  ad- 
Yised  him  to  remain  one  month  longer  with  the 
congregation,  and  in  case  he  should  see  no  pros- 
pect, at  the  end  of  that  time,  of  comfort  and  use- 
fulness in  his  pastoral  charge,  they  declared  him 
at  liberty  to  retire,  and,  in  this  way,  gave  him  a 
kind  of  conditional  dismission.  He  submitted  to 
the  judgment  of  the  committee,  and  made  the 
further  trial  which  they  proposed  ;  but  when  the 

*  Mr.  Cu?m7ii}ig,  after  being  liberated  from  his  pastoral 
charge  in  JVexu-  York^  received  a  call  from  the  Old  South 
church,  in  Boston,  to  be  a  colleague  with  their  aged  and 
venerable  pastor,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sewall,  He  accepted  the 
call ;  and  resided  in  Boston,  with  honour  to  himself,  and 
with  usefulness  to  the  church,  about  ten  years.  He  died 
August  25,  1763,  greatly  respected,  and  imiversally  la-- 
mented. 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-YorL      155 

jnonth  was  expired,  he  left  the  city,  to  the  great 
g^rief  of  a  majority  of  the  congregation,  who  con- 
sidered the  reasons  for  his  departure  as  by  na 
^means  sufficient. 

The  congregation  were  deeply  affected  with 
ihis  dispensation  of  providence,  in  being  depriv- 
ed of  both  their  ministers  at  once ;  and  also  with- 
the  unhappy  divisions  which  had  led  to  this  be- 
reavement. They  determined,  therefore,  in  their 
<jongregational  capacity,  to  humble  themselves 
before  God,  and  to  unite  in  special  prayer  for  the 
removal  of  their  difficulties.  For  this  purpose 
they  set  a  part  a  day  of  humiliation,  fasting,  and 
prayer,  to  confess  their  sins  as  a  people,  and  to 
implore  the  divine  direction  in  the  choice  of  a 
minister.  They  requested  the  Presbytery  to  ap- 
point one  of  their  number,  to  attend  and  conduct 
the  services  of  the  day.  Their  request  was 
granted ;  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  attended 
for  the  purpose  ;  and  the  31st  of  December,  1753, 
was  accordingly  observed  in  this  manner,  with 
great  solemnity.  After  the  public  exercises  of  the 
day  were  closed,  due  notice  of  the  design  having 
been  given,  the  congregation  proceeded  to  de- 
Jiberate  on  the  propriety  of  calling'  another  mi- 
nister.    They  unanimously  agi^eed  that  it  was 


156     History  of  the  Church  in  New-York. 

proper  then  to  make  a  choice ;  and  the  Rev.  Jo^ 
seph  Bellamyj  of  Betklem,  in  Connecticut,  wa& 
accordingly  chosen  *.  In  pursuance  of  this  vote, 
a  call  for  Mr.  Bellamy  was  drawn  up  and  prose- 
cuted, with  the  concurrence  of  the  Presbytery ; 
but  he  declined  accepting-  it.  At  the  instance  of  a 
number  of  the  congregation,  especially  of  those 
who  were  charged  with  being  the  principal  fo- 
menters  of  division  among  them,  a  second  call 
was  prepared  and  sent  to  Mr.  Bellamy,  and  pro- 
secuted with  great  zeal.  But,  that  gentleman 
finding  that  there  was  not,  still,  that  unanimity 
in  the  call,  which  might  have  been  wished,  gave, 
the  second  time,  a  negative  answer,  in  a  lettery 
bearing  date  July  18th,  1754. 

*  The  Rev.  Jose^ih  Bellamy^  D.  D.  was  born  at  JS/'ew- 
Cheshire^  Connecticut^  in  1719,  and  was  graduated  at  Yale 
college,  in  1735.  He  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the 
gospel  ministry,  and  installed  pastor  of  the  church  in 
Bethlem,  in  1740,  and  died  March  6,  1730,  in  the  72d 
year  of  his  age.  The  eminent  talents  ;  the  ardent  piety  ; 
the  indefatigable  labours  ;  the  numerous  publications  ; 
and  the  great  ministerial  usefulness  of  Dr.  Bellamy,  are 
too  well  known  to  require  the  language  of  eulogium  in 
this  place.  Dr.  Rodgers,  after  he  came  to  JVew-York, 
was  well  acquainted  with  him,  and  greatly  honoured  him, 
as  a  man  of  strong,  original  powers  ;  as  an  able  divine  ; 
and  as  an  eminently  devoted  minister  of  Jesus  Christ. 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-York,     157 

In  the  month  of  November  of  the  same  year,  the 
congregation,  as  before  related,  made  a  very 
pressing  application  to  Mr.  Rodger s^  the  subject  of 
these  memoirs,  who  then  resided  at  St.  George  Sy 
in  Delaware,  to  come  and  preach  to  them,  with 
a  view  to  settlement.  They  entertained  strong 
hopes  that  he  might  be  the  happy  means  of  heal- 
ing their  divisions,  and  of  promoting  their  best 
interests.  Mr.  Rodgers,  however,  thought  ft  his 
duty  to  decline  accepting  the  invitation,  which 
he  did  by  the  return  of  the  messenger  who  carri- 
ed it. 

In  the  month  of  January,  1755,  the  congrega- 
tion, by  the  advice  of  the  Presbytery,  gave  a  call 
to  the  Rev.  David  Mc  Gregore  *,  of  Londojiderrg, 

*  The  Rev.  David  Mc  Gregore  was  born  in  Ireland, 
He  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  James  Mc  Gregore^  who  had 
the  pastoral  charge  of  a  Presbyterian  church  in  the  north 
of  Ireland^  who  migrated  to  Massachusetts^  in  1718,  and 
soon  afterwards  settled  in  JVenv-Hamfishire^  near  Haver- 
hill', on  a  tract  of  land  called  jYutJield,  but  which  he,  and 
th  families  who  migrated  and  settled  with  him,  called 
XeW'Londonderry.  He  laboured  in  the  gospel  ministry 
in  tliat  place  about  ten  years,  and  died  March  5th,  1729. 
He  was  a  pious,  able,  and  faithful  minister,  whose  memo- 
ry is  still  affectionately  cherished  in  the  place  of  his  resi- 
dence.    His  son  David  accompanied  him  to  America^  in 


158     History  of  the  Church  in  New-York, 

in  New- Hampshire,  a  member  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Boston,  This  call  was  regularly  prosecuted 
before  his  Presbytery,  which  met  at  Pelham,  in  the 
month  of  April,  of  that  year,  and  afterwards  in 
Boston,  on  the  14th  of  May  following.  Mr.  Mc 
Gregore  considering  the  state  of  the  church  in 
NerV'York  as  highly  unfavourable  both  to  the 
comfort  and  usefulness  of  a  minister,  felt  himself 
constrained  to  give  an  answer  in  the  negative. 

These  repeated  disappointments,  while  they 
almost  discouraged  the  congregation,  served  al- 
so to  humble  them,  and  to  make  them  feel  more 
Ihan  ever  their  dependence  on  the  King  of  Zion, 
for  the  supply  of  a  pastor,  as  well  as  of  all  other 
mercies.  There  is  every  reason  to  believe,  that 
dispensations  so  painful  and  humiliating  formed 
a  part  of  their  preparation  to  receive  more  glad- 
ly and  more  profitably,  the  minister  who  was  af- 
terwards provided  for  them. 


the  eighth  year  of  his  age.  Ke  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  in  1735  ;  and  was  minister  of  the 
second  Presbyterian  church  in  JVeiv-Lovdonderry  ;  where 
he  died  May  30,  1777,  in  the  67th  year  of  his  age.  He 
appears  to  have  resembled  his  father  in  his  personal  and 
ministerial  character. 


History  of  (he  Church  in  New-York,     159 

In  the  month  of  July,  1755,  they  gave  a  call 
to  the  Reverend  David  Bostwick^,  pastor  of  the 
Church  of  Jamaica,  on  Long-Island,  a  member 
of  their  own  Presbytery.  The  people  of  Jamai- 
ca made  warm  and  persevering  opposition  to  the 


*  The  Reverend  David  Bostivick  was  a  native  of  JWw- 
Milford^  Connecticut.^  where  he  was  born  in  the  year 
1721.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  entered  Yale  College^  and 
graduated,  after  the  usual  course  of  study.  On  leaving 
college,  he  was  engaged  as  a  teacher,  in  an  academy  at 
Nenvark^  JSTeio-Jersey^  under  the  inspection  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Burr,  afterwards  President  of  the  college  of  JVeiV' 
Jersey.  He  was  ordained  to  the  work  of^the  Gospel  mi- 
nistry, and  installed  pastor  of  the  Church  of  Jamaica,  oa 
Long'Island,  October  9th,'  1745.  The  sermon  on  that 
occasion  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Burr,  and  after- 
wards published.  Here  Mr.  Bostivick  remained  more 
than  ten  years,  enjoying  in  a  very  high  degree  the  affec- 
tion and  respect,  not  only  of  the  people  of  his  charge, 
but  also  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  and  the  churches 
in  general.  His  appearance  and  deportment  were  pecu- 
liarly venerable  ;  as  a  preacher,  he  possessed  an  impres- 
sive, commanding  eloquence,  to  which  few  attain  ;  and 
the  ardour  of  his  piety,  together  with  the  apostolic  puri- 
ty of  his  life,  gave  him  a  strong  hold  in  public  esteem. 
During  his  residence  in  Jamaica,  he  rejected  several 
calls  to  other  churches ;  and  was  with  great  difficulty 
persuaded  by  his  friends,  that  it  was  his  duty  to  remove 
tf!i.J\''eW'York, 


160      History  of  the  Church  hi  New-York. 

removal  of  their  minister ;  and  the  divided  state 
of  the  church  in  New-York,  formed  another  ob- 
stacle to  his  accepting  their  call  The  Presbyte- 
ry, on  the  call  being  laid  before  them,  referred 
a  decision  upon  the  subject  to  the  Synod,  which 
met  in  Newark,  in  the  month  of  September  fol- 
lowing. The  Synod  appointed  a  committee  to 
meet  at  Jamaica,  on  the  29th  of  the  next  month, 
that  they  might  deliberate  more  at  leisure,  and 
decide  with  more  light,  than  the  whole  Synod 
could  be  supposed  to  do,  in  the  midst  of  other 
business,  and  at  a  distance  from  Mr.  Bostwick's 
place  of  residence.  The  committee  met  agreea- 
bly to  appointment ;  when  the  elders,  deacons, 
and  trustees  of  the  church  in  New-York,  pre- 
sented a  memorial,  praying  in  the  most  earnest, 
yet  respectful  terms,  that  they  would  not  only  put 
the  call  into  Mr.  Bostwick's  hands,  and  favour 
his  acceptance  of  it  3  but  that  they  would  also 
come  to  some  decision  respecting  the  different 
versions  of  the  book  of  Psalms,  which  had  so 
long  divided  and  agitated  the  congregation. — 
They  urged,  that  the  continuance  of  this  contro- 
versy would  be  likely  to  discourage  any  minister 
from  settling  among  them,  and  to  prove  highly 
injurious,  in  many  respects,  to  the  interests  of  re- 
ligion :  but  at  the  same  time,  the  memoriol  ex- 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-York,       161 

pressed  an  earnest  desire  that  the  use  of  Dr. 
Watts'  version  might  be  continued,  as  much 
more  agreeable  than  any  other  to  a  great  majority 
of  the  people. 

The  committee  being  divided  with  respect 
both  to  the  call,  and  the  question  concerning 
Psalmody,  and  believing  that  a  decision  of  the 
latter  question  had  not  been  committed  to  them 
by  the  Synod,  determined  to  refer  the  decision  of 
both  questions  to  the  regular  commission  of  Sy- 
nod, which  they  requested  the  moderator  of  that 
body,  who  happened  to  be  one  of  their  own 
number,  to  call  as  soon  as  convenient.  The 
commission  of  Synod  was  accordingly  conven- 
ed at  Princeton,  on  the  14th  day  of  April, 
1756;  when  the  call  was  put  into  Mr.  Bost- 
wicKs  hands ;  and  he,  having  declared  himself 
wholly  at  a  loss  whether  it  was  his  duty  to  accept 
or  reject  it,  the  commission,  after  a  full  hearing 
of  the  persons  appointed  to  represent  the  con- 
gregations of  New-York  and  Jamaica^  respect- 
ively, decided  in  favour  of  his  removal  to  New- 
York.  In  this  decision  Mr.  Bostwick  acquies- 
ced ;  and  his  pastoral  relation  to  the  church  of 
Jamaim  was  thereupon  dissolved. 

21 


162      History  of  the  Church  in  New-Yorlu 

Mr.  Bosbvick  shortly  after  removed  his  family 
to  the  city,  and  entered  on  his  new  charge.  Pos- 
sessing pulpit  talents  superior  to  most  of  his 
brethren,  he  was  a  very  popular  preacher ;  and 
his  piety  and  prudence,  which  were  no  less  con- 
spicuous, rendered  him  highly  acceptable  to  the 
people  of  his  charge,  and  to  the  city  in  general. 
The  result  of  this  choice  proved  as  favourable  as 
the  most  sanguine  expectations  of  its  friends. 

Still,  however,  a  small  part  of  the  congrega- 
tion remained  incurably  dissatisfied  with  the  sys- 
tem of  Psalmody  which  the  majority  chose  to 
adopt,  and  with  some  other  grounds  of  smaller, 
but  serious,  uneasiness.  On  these  subjects  the 
minority  made  their  final  application  to  the  Sy- 
nod, which  met  in  the  month  of  September,  1756. 
This  application,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Synod, 
■was  made  in  terms  by  no  means  delicate :  accord- 
ingly that  body,  after  a  gentle  animadversion  on 
the  offensiveness  of  the  manner  adopted  by  the  ap- 
plicants, referred  them  to  their  previous  deci- 
sions on  the  sr.bjects  in  question,  which  they  saw 
no  reason  to  rescind  or  alter.  This  answer  be- 
in  o-  considered  as  final,  a  number  of  the  dissatis- 
fied  brethren  withdrew  ;  formed  themselves  into 
a  sepai'ate  congregation ;  and  made  application 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-York,     163 

for  supplies  to  two  ministers  who  had  recently 
arrived  from  Scotland,  and  who  belonged  to  one 
of  the  branches  of  the  secession  from  the  estab- 
lishment in  that  country.  After  some  time,  this 
newly  formed  society  gave  a  call  to  the  Rever- 
end John  Masouy  of  Scotlcmd,  to  be  their  minis- 
ter*.    Mr.  3Iason  accepted  the  call,  and  arrived 


*  The  Reverend  John  Mason,  D.  D.  was  born  at  Mid 
Calder,  nesiV  Edinburgh,  in  the  year  1734.  He  was  con- 
nected with  that  branch  of  the  secession  in  Scotland 
known  by  the  name  of  Antiburghers.  By  a  Presbytery 
in  that  connexion,  he  was  licensed,  and  not  long  «fter- 
wards  ordained,  with  a  view  to  his  taking  the  pastoral 
charge  of  a  congregation  in  J^ew-York  ;  where  he  arriv- 
ed, as  above  stated,  in  June,  1761,  and  where  he  was,  in  a 
short  time  thereafter,  installed.  Dr.  Mason  was  a  man  of 
a  sound,  strong  mind,  of  extensive  learning,  and  of  unu- 
sually fervent  piety.  His  scholarship  was  rare.  He  had 
so  habituated  himself  to  classical  studies,  that,  at  the  age 
of  twenty,  he  spoke  the  Latin  language,  on  all  the  high- 
er subjects  of  discourse,  such  as  history,  philosophy,  and 
theology,  with  equal  ease,  and  greater  elegance,  than 
his  mother  tongue.  In  Greek  his  proficiency  was  but 
little  inferior ;  and  he  was  familiar  with  the  Hebrew.'^ 
At  the  age  of  24,  he  taught  Logic  and  Moral  Philosophy, 
with  reputation,  in  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Anti- 
burghers,  at  Ahernethy.  His  lectures  were  in  Latin. — 
As  a  preacher,  he  was  uncommonly  judicious  and  in- 
structive ;  as  a  pastor,  singularly  faithful   and   diligent ; 


164     History  of  the  Church  in  New-York. 

in  New-York  in  the  month  of  June,  1761.  He 
immediately  entered  on  the  duties  of  his  new 
station.     And  although  his  congregation  was,  at 

and  as  a  friend  and  companion,  he  displayed  an  assem- 
blage of  excellencies  rarely  found  in  so  great  a  degree 
in  one  person.  Few  ministers  have  ever  lived  in  JVeiv- 
ro7*A',  in  so  high  esteem,  or  died  so  generally  and  deep- 
ly lamented.  He  left  the  world  "  in  the  calm  sun* 
shine  of  gospel  hope,*'  on  the  19th  day  of  April,  1792. 
Dr.  Rodgers  was  much  attached  to  this  excellent  man  ; 
and  considered  his  intimacy  with  him  as  one  of  the  great- 
est social  privileges  of  his  life.  He  seldom  mentioned 
his  name  without  expressions  of  respect  and  affection  of 
the  most  pointed  and  tender  kind.  The  following  testi- 
mony of  regard  from  the  pen  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Linuy 
•who  knew  Dr.  Mason  well,  and  who  was  capable  of  ap- 
preciating his  character,  is  worthy  of  being  transcribed. 
"  I  shall  be  excused  here  in  paying  a  small  tribute  of 
"  respect  to  the  memory  of  a  man  who  was  my  neigh- 
"  hour  and  my  friend  ;  whom  I  knew  too  late  ;  and  of 
"  whose  value  1  was  hardly  sensible  until  I  experienced 

<*  his   loss. He   had    prudence   without   cunning, 

"  cheerfulness  without  levity,  dignity  without  pride, 
"  friendship  without  ceremony,  charity  without  undue 
"  latitude,  and  religion  without  ostentation.  The  con- 
«  gregation  which  be  served  have  erected  a  handsome 
"  monument  to  his  memory  ;  but  the  most  honourable 
*'  monument,  is  the  place  he  holds  in  their  hearts,  and 
"  the  lasting  esteem  of  all  who  knew  ^him.'*  Signs  qf 
the  Times,^,  143,  note. 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-Yorh,       165 

first,  small  and  feeble,  to  a  discouraging  degree  ', 
yet,  under  the  smiles  of  the  great  Head  of  the 
church  on  his  pre-eminently  judicious  and  faith- 
ful ministrations,  it  soon  rose  to  respectability 
and  miportance. 

This  secession'  restored  peace  to  the  parent 
church.  Such  of  the  dissatisfied  brethren  as  did 
not  choose  to  withdraw,  sat  down  quietly  imder 
Mr.  Bostwick's  ministry,  which  was  soon  blessed 
to  the  increase  and  prosperity  of  the  congregation. 

In  1756,  about  the  time  of  the  secession  above 
stated,  the  congregation  met  with  a  serious  loss 
in  the  withdrawing  of  a  single  member.  Mr. 
John  Noble,  a  native  of  England,  and  a  man  of 
emment  piety,  had  been  for  many  years  an  active 
and  useful  member  of  the  church,  and  about  four 
years  before,  had  been  chosen  and  set  apart  as 
one  of  its  ruling  elders.  In  this  office  his  activi- 
ty and  usefulness  were  both  inc  reased.  His  great 
wealth  enabled  him  to  do  more  than  most  others  ; 
and  he  promised  to  be  a  rich  blessing  to  the 
church.  But,  amidst  these  favourable  prospects, 
in  the  year  above  mentioned,  he  left  the  Presby- 
terian church,  and  joined  the  Moravians,  or  Unit- 
ed Brethren,     The  circumstances  which  led  to 


166     History  of  the  Church  m  New-Yiyrk. 

this  change  of  sentiment,  and  of  religious  con- 
nexion, are  now  unknown.  It  is  believed,  that 
an  occasional  visit  to  Bethlehe)n,  paved  the  way, 
or,  at  least,  was  not  without  its  influence.  How- 
ever this  may  be,  his  secession,  in  the  then  divid- 
ed, and  comparatively  enfeebled  state  of  the 
church,  was  a  serious  loss ;  and  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  the  society  of  United  Brethren  in  the  city 
oi  NeW'York» 

In  the  year  1759,  the  officers  of  the  church 
made  application,  a  third  time,  for  a  charter. 
To  this  step  they  were  encouraged  by  several 
circumstances  w  hich  appeared  favourable  to  their 
design,  particularly  by  the  declarations  of  Mr. 
Delancey,  the  lieutenant  governor,  who  then  held 
the  reins  of  administration,  and  who  liad  fre- 
quently expressed  his  abhorrence  of  the  illiberal 
and  unjust  refusal  which  their  former  applications 
had  met.  But,  notwithstanding  every  favourable 
appearance,  so  zealous  and  persevering  was  the 
opposition  made  by  the  Episcopal  church,  that  the 
applicants  were,  a  third  time,  defeated. 

This  disappointment,  in  not  obtaining  a  char- 
ter, was  the  more  serious,  because  about  this  time 
some  circumstances  occurred,  which  showed  not 


Hisiory  of  the  Church  in  New-York,      167 

only  the  great  inconvenience,  but  also  the  solid 
loss  which  they  sustained,  in  consequence  of  the 
legal  disability  thence  arising.     About  the  year 
1754,  capt.  Jeremiah  Owen,  a  native  of  England ^ 
who  had  long  been  an  exemplary  member  of  the 
Presbvterian  church  in  New-York,  died,  and  left  a 
legacy  of  750  dollars,  the  interest  of  which  he  di- 
rected to  be  applied  annually  toward  the  instruc- 
tion of  poor  children  of  that  congregation,  in  read- 
ing,  writing,    and  the  use    of  figures.      Capt. 
Owen,  having  been  long  intimate  with  Mr.  WiU 
Ham  Ludlorv,  a  respectable  inhabitant  of  the  city, 
and  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  appointed 
him  his  executor.  This  legacy,  of  course,  with  the 
other  portions  of  the  testator's  estate,  came  into 
Mr.  Ldidlow's  hands.     The  gentlemen  who  were 
in  the  habit  of  managing  the  temporal  concerns 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  called,   soon  after- 
ward, on  Mr.  Ludlow,  and  requested  the  pay- 
ment of  the  money.     He    declined   complying 
with  their  request,  alleging  that,  as  the  church 
was  not  incorporated,  no  person  or  body  of  per- 
sons, could  legally  receive  the  legacy,  or  give  him 
a  discharge  for  the  same.     The  applicants,  not 
knowing  how  to  remove  this  difficulty,  suspend- 
ed the  prosecution  of  their  claim  until  some  more 
favourable  opportunity  might  arise. 


1^8      History  of  the  Church  in  New^York. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  vestry  of  Trinity  church, 
being  informed  of  the  legacy,  and  that  the  trus- 
tees of  the  Presbyterian  church  had  applied  for 
it  in  vain,  made  every  effort  to  get  it  out  of  Mr. 
Ludlow's  hands,  and  appropriate  it  to  their  own 
use.  They  entreated,  remonstrated,  and  threat- 
ened; but  without  success.  Mr.  Ludlow  de- 
clared, that,  although  he  was  a  zealous  Episco- 
palian ;  yet  as  the  money  was  committed  to  hint 
in  trust,  and  for  a  very  different  purpose,  they 
should  never  possess  it,  unless  they  took  it  from 
him  by  force.  Finding  his  honesty  and  honom* 
too  inflexible  to  admit  the  hope  of  getting  the 
legacy  into  their  hands,  the  vestry  next  proposed 
to  Mr.  Ludlow,  that  he  should  send  those  chil- 
dren, the  expense  of  whose  education  the  interest 
of  the  legacy  w^ould  defray,  to  their  charity 
school,  where  they  might  be  instructed  at  the  or- 
dmary  rate.  But  this  proposal  also  Mr.  Ludlow 
pointedly  rejected,  observing,  that  Capt.  Owen 
was  a  Presbyterian,  of  long  standing,  and  of 
known  principle ;  and  that,  although  he  had  not 
mentioned  it,  or  made  it  one  of  the  conditions  in 
his  will;  it  doubtless  was  his  intention,  that  the 
children  instructed  by  means  of  his  legacy,  should 
be  educated  in  the  Presbyterian  faith,  and  attend 
the  Presbyterian  church :  whereas,  if  the  proposal 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-Yorh.     16^ 

of  the  vestry  were  accepted,  the  children  instruct- 
ed at  their  school  must  of  necessity  attend  their 
church.  The  members  of  the  vestry  appointed 
to  conduct  this  negociation,  by  way  of  answer  to 
these  Remarks,  asked  him,  somewhat  tartly,  "  Are 
you  not  a  churchman,  sir?"  "  YeSy'  he  replied, 
"  I  am  a  churchman ;  but  I  am  also  an  honest 
"  man,  and  am  determined  to  fulfil  the  intention 

of  Capt.  Owen,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge 

and  ability." 


The  vestry  at  length,  despairing  of  success, 
abandoned  the  pm*suit  of  this  legacy ;  and  it  re- 
mained a  number  of  years  in  Mr.  Ludlow' sh^xids^ 
This  gentleman,  however,  with  characteristic 
probity  and  honour,  though  he  could  not  pay  it 
to  any  corporation,  nor  to  anybody  of  persons  en- 
titled by  law  to  receive  it,  determined  to  employ 
it,  while  in  his  hands,  most  rigidly  in  conformity 
with  the  will  of  the  testator.  He  was,  therefore, 
in  the  habit,  for  near  ten  years,  of  selecting  poor 
Presbyterian  children,  placing  them  under  the 
care  of  Presbyterian  school-masters,  and  defray- 
ing the  expenses  of  their  instruction  with  the 
avails  of  this  legacy.  Things  continued  in  this 
state  until  the  year  1 765,  when  Mr.  Rodgers  be- 
came the  pastor  of  the  church ;  and  when  the  be- 

22 


170      Histoty  of  the  Church  inNe7V-YorL 

quest  of  Capt.  07V€7i  was  destined  to  become  tha 
foundation  of  an  important  charity-school  esta- 
blishment. 

In  the  year  1762^  Capt.  John  Neilson*  be- 
queathed, by  will,  "  to  the  Presbyterian  church  in 
Netv-Yorky'  the  sum  of  250  dollars.  Soon  after 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  the  same  year,  the 
trustees  called  on  his  acting  executor,  Mr.  Wad- 
dell  Cunninghams  for  the  payment  of  the  legacy. 
The  answer  of  Mr.  Cunningham  was,  that  the  law 
knew  no  such  body  as  the  "  Presbyterian  church 
in  New-York,^'  and  tliat  the  money  would  not  be 
paid.  The  trustees,  conscious  that  they  had  no 
power  to  compel  payment,  quietly  submitted  ta 
the  insult^  as  well  as  the  injustice  which  attended 
the  refusal.  Nor  was  the  money  paid  until  more^ 
than  twenty  years  afterwards,  when  the  congre- 
gation having  obtained  a  charter,  a  gentleman, 
who  had  been  connected  in  trade  with  Mr.  Cun^ 
ningham,  offered  to  pay  the  principal  sum,  provi- 

•  Capt.  JVeilson  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  a  respectable  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  JVew-York.  He  commtinded  a  merchant 
ship,  in  the  European  trade,  in  vhich  he  was  blown  up 
on  the  coast  of  Franc Cj  in  the  year  above  mentioned,  and 
with  his  whole  crew,  perished. 


History  of  the  Church  in  New-York,      171 

=ded  the  trustees  would  relinquish  the  interest 
due  thereon.  This  offer  they  thought  proper  to 
accept,  and  received  the  legacy  accordingly. 

The  recuiTence  of  such  events  as  these  ren= 
dered  the  trustees  extremely  anxious  to  obtain  a 
charter :  and  they  repeated  their  applici»tion  for 
that  purpose  on  every  occasion  which  seemed  to 
afford  the  least  gleam  of  hope  that  they  might 
succeed.  But  as  often  as  thev  renewed  their  ex- 
^rtions,  opposition  was  maderfrom  the  old  quarter^ 
and  always  proved  effectual^ 

The  congregation,  -as  yet,  had  no  liouse  of  their 
own  for  the  residence  of  their  minister.  In  the 
month  of  May,  1762,  they  purchased  a  parson- 
age, and  gave  the  use  of  it  to  Mr.  Bostwick,  as 
an  addition  to  his  stated  salary.  This  property 
also,  for  want  of  a  charter,  they  were  obliged  to 
convey  to  certain  individuals,  to  be  held  in  trust 
for  the  congregation. 

Although  Mr.  Bosiwick  was  highly  accept- 
able and  popular ;  yet,  as  his  health  was  so  deli- 
cate as  to  impair,  in  a  considerable  degree,  his 
capacity  for  active  service,  the  congregation 
Judged  an  additional  minister  to  be  necessary ,- 


172      History  of  the  Church  in  New-Tork. 

and  accordingly,  in  the  month  of  October,  1762, 
they  gave  a  call  to  the  Reverend  Joseph  Treaty  a 
member  of  the  Presbytery  of  New-Brunsrvick,  to 
become  their  pastor,  in  connexion  with  Mr.  Bost' 
wick.  Mr.  Treat  accepted  their  call ;  and  being- 
without  a  pastoral  charge,  immediately  entered 
on  his  ministry  with  them.  He  was  a  popular 
and  useful  preacher. 

In  the  month  of  November,  1763,  Mr.  Bost- 
7vick  was  removed  by  death,  after  an  illness  of  a 
few  days.  He  was  highly  esteemed  and  rever-* 
ed,  while  he  lived,  not  only  by  the  people  of  his 
own  charge,  but  by  the  churches,  and  his  fellow- 
citizens  in  general ;  and  his  death  was  sincerely 
and  justly  lamented. 

Mr.  Treat  survived  Mr.  Bostwickj  but  another 
minister  being  thought  necessaiy,  for  a  congrega- 
tion so  large  and  important,  a  call  was  voted,  in 
the  spring  of  the  year  1764,  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  John 
Murray,  a  preacher  from  the  north  of  Ireland, 
and  a  man  of  popular  talents,  to  be  a  colleague 
with  Mr.  Treat,  But  the  want  of  unanimity, 
together  with  some  other  considerations  of  a  per-, 
sonal  nature,  induced  Mr.  Murray  to  reject  the 
call. 


History  of  the  Church  in  Netv-York,     17^ 

In  the  month  of  January,  1765,  as  before  stated, 
the  congregation  gave  a  unanimous  and  affec-* 
tionate  call  to  the  Subject  of  these  memoirs.  The 
circumstances  and  the  result  of  this  call,  were  de- 
tailed in  a  preceding  chapter  ;  and  introduce  us 
to  that  portion  of  the  history  of  the  church  in 
New-York f  which  is  inseparably  connected  with 
the  life  of  Mr.  Rodgers,  and  which  will  be  found 
detailed  in  the  following  chapters*. 

*  The  foregoing  history  of  the  church  oi  JVeiv-York,  is 
compiled  from  documents,  which  were  prepared  by  Dr. 
Rodgers  himself,  and  put  into  the  hands  of  the  writer  of 
this  volume,  several  years  before  his  decease.  On  this 
authority  all  the  facts  in  the  preceding  chapter  rest,  ex- 
cepting those  for  which  some  other  is  distinctly  quoted  ; 
and  excepting  also  the  notes-^  for  which  the  writer  alone 
is  responsible. 


CHAP.  V\ 


>^< 


Dum  vivimus,  vivamus. 

Doddr. 
Viresque  acquirit  eundo. 


From  his  removal  to  the  City  of  New-^Yorh^  iili 
the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary  War, 

IMr.  Rodgers  arrived  in  New-York^  as  before 
stated,  to  enter  on  his  pastoral  duties  ther^,  on 
the  24th  day  of  July,  1765.  He  was  received  by 
the  people  of  his  new  charge  with  great  respect 
and  affection  ~,  and  with  no  less  cordiality  by  the 
Presbytery  of  New-York,  which  convened  at 
Springfield,  Nerv- Jersey,  on  the  20th  of  August, 
for  the  purpose  of  receiving  him ;  and  appoint- 
ed his  installation  to  take  place  on  the  4th  day 
of  September  following.  In  tho  installation 
solemnities  the  Reverend  Timothy  Johnes,  of 
fliorristown,  the  oldest  member  of  the  Presbytery^ 
presided,  and  the  Reverend  James  Caldwell,  of 
Elizabeth-town,  preached  the  sermon.  Mr,  Rod^^ 


New-Tork.  1:75 

ers  often  spoke  of  that  day,  as  one  in  which  the 
tenderest  regrets  for  the  people  he  had  recently 
left,  and  the  most  grateful  affection  for  the  mark- 
ed kindness  and  attachment  of  those  to  whose 
service  he  then  devoted  himself,  produced  a  sin- 
gular conflict  in  his  mind. 

Formed  for  activity,  and  prompted  to  diligence 
in  his  appropriate  functions,  as  well  by  tempera- 
ment and  habit,  as  by  a  strong  sense  of  duty; 
Mr.  jRodJ^rer*  immediately  transferred  to  the  new 
^here  of  action  in  which  it  had  pleased  God  to 
place  him,  the  ardent  zeal,  and  the  tender  pasto- 
ral anxieties  and  assiduities,  which  he  had  long 
displayed  toward  another  flock.  The  disadvan- 
tage arising  from  the  material  difference,  in  seve- 
ral respects,  between  a  country  and  city  charge, 
was  soon  surmounted  by  him  :  or  rather,  hap- 
py in  a  style  of  manners  peculiarly  adapted  to 
a  polished  and  populous  city,  he  at  once  found 
himself  at  home  as  pastor  of  the  church  in  Nejv- 
York. 

He  had  not  been  many  weeks  in  this  new  sta- 
tion, before  he  began  to  direct  to  the  catechetical 
instruction  of  the  children  and  young  people  un- 
der his  care,  the  same  particular  and  unwearied 


176  New-York. 

attention,  which  he  had  found  so  beneficial  in 
St,  George's.  Besides  collecting*  the  younger 
children,  once  a  week,  and  hearing  them  recite 
the  Assembly's  shorter  catechism,  accompanied 
with  prayer,  and  an  extemporaneous  exhortation^ 
as  before,  he  instituted  a  morc  public  lecture  on 
the  same  catechism,  which  was  held  on  Thurs- 
day evening  in  each  week,  designed  for  the  in- 
struction of  the  elder  classes  of  children ;  but 
which  was  generally  attended  by  as  many,  of  all 
ages,  as  could  be  accommodated  in  the  building  in 
which  it  was  held.  These  two  services  he  con- 
tinued, with  persevering  diligence,  until  within 
a  few  years  of  his  decease ;  when  his  growing  in- 
firmities compelled  him  to  yield  them  to  his  col- 
leagues. He  had  a  deep  impression  of  the  im- 
portance of  catechetical  instruction ;  which  he 
embraced  every  opportunity  of  endeavouring  to 
urge,  especially  on  his  younger  brethren  in  the 
ministry.  And  he  often  declared  that,  as  far 
as  he  was  able  to  judge,  the  familiar,  but  sys- 
tematic, doctrinal  instruction,  accompanied  with 
a  w  arm  practical  application,  which  he  always 
aimed  to  give  in  his  Thursday  evening  lectures, 
had  been  more  signally  blessed  to  the  spiritual 
benefit  of  his  people,  than  any  other  part  of  his 
ministrations. 


NeW'Yorh  111 

Mr.  Rodyers  also  encouraged  the  establish- 
ment of  private  associations  for  prayer,  in  different 
parts  of  the  congregation,  which  accordingly, 
soon  after  his  arrival  in  New-  York,  were  consi- 
derably multiplied,  and  which  he  countenanced 
by  his  presence,  as  often  as  his  numerous  engage- 
ments permitted.  A  short  time  previous  to  the 
decease  of  Mr.  Bostwick,  the  means  of  grace  had 
been  attended  with  a  more  than  common  bless- 
ing in  the  congregation ;  and  although  this  par- 
tial revival  had,  in  some  measure,  declined,  pre- 
vious to  Mr.  Hodgers  anival,  still  a  portion  of 
its  happy  influence  remained ;  so  that  the  minds 
of  the  people  were,  in  a  considerable  degree,  pre- 
pared to  give  a  favourable  reception  to  any  pro- 
posals which  had  for  their  object  the  promotion  of 
christian  knowledge  and  piety.  This  circum- 
stance both  facilitated  the  introduction,  and  was, 
no  doubt,  a  means  of  contributing  to  the  efficacy, 
of  those  new  plans  and  labours  for  the  advance- 
ment of  religion,  to  which  Mr.  Modgers  settle- 
ment in  NeiV'York  gave  rise. 

These  plans  and  labours  were  crowned  with 

success.     By  the  divine  blessing  upon  them  a 

considerable  revival  of  religion  almost  immedi- 

ntelv  ensued.     The  congregation  rapidly  increajs- 

23 


ITS  New-York'. 

ed.  The  assemblies  for  the  worship  of  Go(f 
were  croaded.  Many  were  awakened  to  serious^ 
thoughtfuhiess ;  and  a  large  number  were  brought,- 
as  was  hoped,  to  a  saving  knowledge  of  the^^ 
truth.  > 

In  the  course  of  the  family  visitations  which 
Mr.  Rodyers  early  commenced,  and  for  many^ 
years  faithfully  maintained,  he  discovered  a  num-^ 
ber  of  poor  children,  belonging  to  the  congrega- 
tion, who  were  growing  up  without  any  suitable 
education,  and  without  the  means  of  obtain- 
ing .it.  He  immediately  reported  their  cases  to. 
the  officers  of  the  church,  and  inquired  whether 
there  were  no  practicable  means  of  putting  such 
children  to  school,  and  preparing  them  for  use- 
fulness in  life.  The  church-officers  informed 
him  of  Captain  Onenis  legacy  * ;  of  the  exer- 
tions which  had  been  niade  to  obtain  and  apply; 
it,  according  to  the  will  ai  the  testator  ;  and  o£ 
the  circumstances  m  which  it  was  then  placedw^ 
Mr.  Rodyers,  with  that  ardour  and  promptness 
for  which  he  was  remarkable,  went  immediately 
to  Mr.  Ludlow,  and  made  a  new  and  urgent  ap- 
plication for  the  payment  of  the  legacy..  Mr». 
Ludlow,  in  the  same  spirit  which  he  had  always 

*  See  the  preceding  chapter,  page  1 67. 


New-York,  179 

laanifested,  assured  him,  that  he  had  long  been 
desirous  to  be  able  to  put  the  money  in  question 
lawfully  and  safely  out  of  his  hands  ;  that  he  was 
still  so  ;  and  that  if  any  method  could  be  devised 
of  applying  it  to  the  object  which  Capt.  Owen 
had  in  view,  and  of  indemnifying  him,  he  diould 
most  cordially  consent  to  its  adoption.  After  re- 
peated conferences  on  the  subject,  Mr.  Ludlow 
at  length  agreed  to  pay  the  legacy  to  the  trea- 
surer of  the  church,  provided  six  of  the  principal 
members  of  the  congregation  would  give  him  a 
bond  of  indemnity  against  all  future  claimants. 
This  method  of  accommodation  was  adopted ; 
the  bond  was  given,  and  the  money  paid,  in  the 
year  1766.  The  gentlemen  who  had  given  the 
bond  *,  immediately  invested,  and  began  to  apply 
the  legacy,  in  such  manner  as  they  judged  mo^t 
conformable  to  its  benevolent  design. 

When  Mr.  dodgers  entered  on  his  pastoral 
charge  in  New-York,  he  found  several  cujstoms 
established  in  the  church,  which  by  no  means  met 
his  approbation.  Among  these,  was  the  prac- 
tice of  making  the  introductory  prayer  in  public 

*  These  gentlemen  were  selected  by  Mr.  Ludlow  him- 
'Self,  and  were  the  following,  Peter  Van  Brugh  Living- 
^ton^  William  Livingston^  William  Smith.^  John  Morin 
Scott^  Fh{er  Mc  Dougall,  and  Jose/ih  Hallett. 


\  ..  (^^ 


180  New^Yorh, 

worship,  reading  the  scriptures,  and  giving  out 
the  first  psalm,  from  the  clerk's  desk,  instead 
of  the  pulpit.  This  had  been,  for  many  years,  a 
subject  of  complaint  with  a  portion  of  the  con- 
gregation ;  but  a  majority  being  in  favour  of  the 
practice,  it  had  been  continued.  Mr.  Rodgers, 
without  consulting  the  eldership,  determined, 
on  his  own  responsibility,  to  lay  it  aside,  and  to 
perform  the  whole  service  in  the  pulpit ;  which 
he  did  ever  afterwards.  This  measure  created 
some  dissatisfaction,  for  a  time,  among  a  few 
leading  members  of  the  church ;  but  such  were 
the  popularity  and  success  of  his  ministrations; 
and  such  his  influence  among  the  people,  that 
the  unpleasant  feelings  expressed  on  the  occasion, 
by  these  individuals,  were  but  little  regarded  by 
the  body  of  the  congregation,  and  soon  entirely 
ceased  to  be  manifested. 

Mr.  Rodyers  had  not  been  many  months  in 
New-York,  when  it  was  found,  that  his  labours 
had  been  so  much  blessed  to  the  increase  of 
the  congregation,  both  in  numbers,  and  in  zeal, 
that  it  was  necessary  to  erect  a  new  place  of 
worship.  Measures  were  accordingly  taken  for 
this  purpose,  early  in  the  spring  of  the  year  1 7(56, 
A  lot  of  ground,  at  tjie  corner  of  Beekman  and 


New-York,  181 

Nassau  streets,  was  procured,  from  the  corpo- 
fation  of  the  city,  on  a  perpetual  lease.  The 
foundation  of  a  new  church  was  laid  in  the  au* 
tumn  of  the  same  year.  The  work  was  prose- 
cuted with  vigour ;  and  in  about  fifteen  months 
the  edifice  was  completed. 

As  Mr,  Rodgers,  by  his  popular  and  unweari- 
ed pastoral  labours,  had  been  the  means  of  ren-. 
dering  this  enterprise  necessary ;  so  his  ardent 
and  indefatigable  zeal  in  promoting  its  success, 
was  equally  conspicuous,  and  worthy  of  being 
recorded.  He  went  from  door  to  door,  for  seve- 
ral months,  soliciting  subscriptions,  with  a  pa- 
tience and  perseverance  which  ought  never  to 
be  forgotten  by  those  who  take  an  interest  in  the 
history  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  New-York^. 
A  large  part  of  the  funds  employed  in  erecting 

*  The  Subject  of  these  memoirs  often  related  little  an- 
ecdotes concerning  the  unexfiected  repulses,  on  the  one 
hand,  and  the  agreeable  surprises,  on  the  other,  which 
occurred  in  the  course  of  this  begging  season.  One, 
of  the  latter  class,  shall  serve  as  a  specimen.  Mr. 
Rodgersy  attended  by  an  officer  of  the  church,  called,  one 
morning,  in  his  soliciting  tour,  at  the  house  of  an  excel- 
lent woman,  a  widow,  who  had  recently  lost  by  death 
a  pious  and  beloved  daughter.  As  her  circumstances 
were  narrow,  little   was   expected  from  her.      Indeed 


18^  Neiv-Yorfi. 

%he  edifice  in  question,  were  collected  by  his 
hands ;  and  no  inconsiderable  portion  of  them 
obtained  by  the  weight  of  his  professional  cha- 
racter. 

This  new  church  was  opened  for  public  wor- 
ship on  the  first  day  of  January,  1768.  The 
first  sermon  was  preached  in  it  by  Mr.  Radars, 
from  IIa(jgai  ii.  7.  The  pews  were  all  immedi- 
ately taken  ;  and  it  soon  became  abundantly  evi- 
dent, that  the  erection  of  an  additional  church 
was  neither  unnecessary  nor  premature.  The 
congregation,  though  now  worshipping  in  two 
buildings,  was  still  considered  as  one  body. 
The  ministers  preached  alternately  in  each  -,  and 
there  was  but  one  board  of  trustees,  and  one  el- 
dership, for  the  whole. 

they  called  upon  her  chiefly  to  testify  their  respect,  and  to 
avoid  the  imputation  of  either  forgetting  her  person,  or 
despising  her  mite.  To  their  great  surprise,  however, 
when  their  errand  was  made  known,  she  presented  to 
them,  with  much  promptness ^nd  cordiality,  a  sum  which, 
for  her,  was  very  large  ;  so  large,  indeed,  that  they  felt 
and  expressed  some  scruples  about  accepting  it.  She  put 
an  end  to  their  scruples  by  saying,  with  much  decision-^ 
<^'  You  must  take  it  all ;  1  had  laid  it  up  as  a  portion  for 
^*  my  daughter ;  and  I  am  determined  that  He  who  has 
^^  my  daughter  shall  have  her  portion  too." 


NerV'YorK.  183^ 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1766,  when  the 
erection  of  a  new  church  was  resolved  upon,  it 
was  judged  expedient  to  make  another  attempt 
to  obtain  a  charter.  The  inconveniences  result- 
ing from  the  want  of  it  were  found  daily  to  ac- 
cumulate ',  and  it  was  distinctly  perceived  that  the 
enterjTise  at  that  time  in  prospect,  would  serve 
to  multiply  them  still  further.  Sir  Henry  Moore, 
then  governor  of  the  province,  was  friendly  to 
the  object  of  the  applicants;  but  a  doubt  being 
started,  whether  his  commission  invested  him  with 
incorporating  powers  ;  and  there  being  some  rea- 
son to  fear  that  a.  favourable  decision  on  the  part 
of  the  council  could  not  be  depended  on  ;  the  offi- 
cers of  the  church  determined  at  once  to  approach 
the  throne  with  their  request.  Accordingly,  ia 
the  month  of  March,  1766,  a  petition  to  the  King^ 
was  drawn  up,  and  signed  by  the  ministers,  el- 
ders, deacons  and  trustees,  exhibiting  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  ease;  stating  the  grievances 
under  which  the  church  had  long  laboured ;  and 
prayings  for  a  charter  of  incorporation.  This  pe- 
tition was  presented  by  the  agents  in  London^ 
who  were  employed  for  the  purpose.  The  King 
laid  it  before  his  privy  council ;  and  they  referred 
it,  according  to  the  usual  routine  of  such  bushiCss^ 
to  the  Board  of  Trade.     That  board,  (of  which 


184  New-York, 

Lord  Dartmouth,  a  sincere  friend  to  the  applica- 
tion, was  then  president,)  wrote  to  sir  Henri/ 
Moore f  to  know  "  whether  the  facts  stated  in  the 
petition,"  of  which  he  Avas  furnished  with  acopy^ 
**  were  true.*'  This  brought  the  business  before 
the  governor's  council  in  New-York,  who,  after 
every  possible  delay,  were  obliged  to  report, 
that  "  the  facts  stated  in  the  petition  were  all 
true."  Their  answer  was  forwarded,  by  the  go- 
vernor, to  lord  Dartmouth,  without  loss  of  time  > 
but  when  the  subject  afterwards  came  before  the 
board  of  trade,  the  bishop  of  London  appeared 
twice  before  the  board,  and  zealously  opposed 
the  application.  Their  report  to  the  king  was 
unfavourable  ;  and  the  petition  was  finally  reject^ 
ed  on  the  26th  day  of  August,  1767.  On  receiv-^ 
ing  notice  of  this  rejection,  the  congregation 
vested  the  title  to  the  new  church  and  cemetery, 
in  private  trustees,  as  they  had  before  been  oblig- 
ed to  do  with  respect  to  their  parsonage  house. 

But  amidst  all  these  discouragements,  the 
church  continued  to  increase  in  numbers  and 
strength,  and  religion  prospered.  The  num- 
ber of  new  communicants  added,  about  this 
time,  was  greater  than  at  any  period  before,  or 
for  many  years  afterwards.     And  it  is  probable 


New-Yorh  18^ 

that  the  very  means  by  which  the  miserable  cal- 
culators of  this  world  thought  to  oppress,  to  dis- 
hearten, and  perhaps  to  destroy ;  were  made  in- 
strumental, by  a  sovereign  and  gracious  God,  to 
bind  together,  to  build  up,  and  to  inspire  with 
a  more  ardent  zeal. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Rodyers  removed  to  New-Yoik, 
the  controversy  respecting  an  American  Episco- 
pate was  at  its  greatest  height.  The  leading 
episcopalians  of  thp  American  colonies,  were  ex- 
ceedingly zealous,  and  had  taken  unwearied  pains, 
by  application  to  the  spiritual  lords,  and  other 
persons  of  influence  in  Great-Biitain^  to  secure 
the  establishment  of  diocesan  bishops  in  this  coun- 
try. This  plan  being  regarded,  by  the  non-epis- 
copal inhabitants  of  the   colonies  *,   as  highly 

*  The  opposition  to  an  American  Episcopate  was  not 
confined  to  non-episcopalians.  Some  zealous  members 
of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  even  some  ministers 
of  that  denomination  had  the  wisdom  to  perceive,  and 
the  magnanimity,  to  acknowledge,  the  dangers  likely  to 
arise  from  this  measure.  Among  the  latter  were  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Gvjatkin^  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Henly^  Episcopal 
clergymen  of  Virginia^  who  openly  opposed  the  plan,  and 
wrote  against  it.  They  both  protested  against  it  in  the 
ecclesiastical  convention  of  that  colony,  in  1771  ;  and  af- 
terwards the  former  published  a  pamphlet  with  the  same 

24 


186  Nerv-Tork 

dangerous  to  their  ecclesiastical  liberties,  they  dc* 
lermined,  by  all  fair  and  honourable  means,  to 
oppose  it  Their  opposition  was  hrm,  persever- 
ing, and  successful.  The  friends  of  the  Episco- 
pate, notwithstanding  all  the  zeal  and  exertions 
which  they  employ  ed  in  its  behalf,  were  continual- 
ly disappointed  by  difficulties  and  delay,  until  the 
Revolution  ;  which,  by  establishing  the  Indepen- 
dence of  the  United  States,  eflfectually  precluded 
the  dangers  apprehended  from  their  scheme ;  re- 
moved the  fears  of  their  opponents ;  and  termi- 
nated the  controversy. 

Among  the  measures  which  were  taken  for 
defeating  the  plan  of  an  American  Episcopate, 
and  for  keeping  the  non-episcopal  churches 
awake  to  their  interests  and  dangers ;  was  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  general  Convention,  to  compare 

view,  under  the  following  title  :  Ji  Letter  to  the  clergy  of 
J\feiV'York  and  Kew-Jersey.^  occasioned  by  an  address  to 
the  JS/iiscofialians  in  Virginia.  By  the  Rev.  Thoinas 
Gwatkin,  professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philoso-* 
phy^in  William  and  Mary  college.  Williamsburgh,  1772, 
4to.  pp.  28.  For  their  conduct  in  this  affair,  Gwatkin  and 
Henly  were  very  much  hated  and  persecuted  by  the  cler- 
gy of  their  own  denomination ;  but  they  received  the 
thanks  of  the  House  of  Burgesses  of  Virginia.  See  Penvr 
sylvania  Gazette^  August  8,  1771. 


4( 

it 


New-York  187 

opinions  and  concert  plan^,  for  the  promotion  of 
these  objects.  This  convention  was  formed  of 
delegates  from  the  Synod  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  from  the  several  Asspciations  of  Con- 
necticut.  The  objects  toward  which  its  comisels 
were  directed,  to  use  its  own  language,  were, 
*^  To  gain  information  of  the  public  state  of  the 
"  united  cause  and  interest ;  to  collect  accounts 
**  relating  thereto  ;  to  unite  endeavours  and  coun- 
sels for  spreading  the  Gospel,  and  preserving 
the  religious  liberties  of  our  churches ;  to  dif- 
*^  fuse  harmony,  and  keep  up  a  correspondence, 
"  throughout  the  united  body ;  and  with  our 
^*  friends  abroad^  to  recommend,  cultivate,  and 
^*  preserve,  loyalty  and  allegiance  to  the  king's 
"  majesty;  and  also  to  address  the  king,  and  the 
^'  king's  ministers^from  time  to  time,  with  assur- 
ances of  the  unshaken  loyalty  of  the  pastors 
comprehended  in  this  union,  and  the  churches 
**  under  their  care,  and  to  vindicate  them,  if  un- 
**  justly  aspersed  *." 

This  Convention  first  met  at  Elizaheth-town,  in 
New-Jersey^  I^ovember  5th,  1766;  and  continu- 


*  MS.  Records  of  the   Conventiofif  in  the  hands  of 
Ebenezer  Hazard^  esquire,  %i  Philadelfthia, 


188  New-York. 

ed  to  meet  annually,  sometinies  within  the  bounds 
of  the  Synod,  and  sometinies  iij  Connecticut,  until 
the  year  1775;  when  its  meetings  became  unne^ 
ces^ry,  and  were  discontinued.  Mr.  Rodgers  was 
always  one  of  the  delegates  frona  the  Synod  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  and  an  active  n^ember 
of  the  Convention.  This  circumstance,  while  it 
evinced  the  high  confidence  which  his  brethren 
reposed  in  his  fidelity  and  wisdom,  introduced 
him  to  a  very  general  and  honourable  acquaint- 
ance with  the  clergy  of  the  American  colonies  % 
and  also  gave  him  the  best  opportunity  of  exhibit- 
ing that  ardent  attachment  to  civil  and  religious 
liberty,  which  distinguished  his  character,  and 
pervaded  his  lifco 

The  following  extracts  from  a  letter  address- 
ed by  this  Convention,  to  the  dissenting  commit- 
tee in  England,  will  serve,  at  once,  to  show  the 
spirit  of  those  times,  and  to  rescue  frpm  misre- 
presentation the  conduct  of  some  great  and  good 

*  As  a  member  of  the  conventiop,  he  was  not  only  as- 
sociated with  such  men  as  Dr.  Francis  Allison^  Dr.  Pa.' 
trick  AUison^i  Dr.  Macwhorter,  and  a  number  of  other  dis- 
tinguished clergymen  of  the  Presbyterian  church  ;  but 
also  with  some  of  the  most  eminent  clergymeu  of  A^evj^- 
EnglancL 


NeW'Yorh  189 

men,  who  had  then  much  influence  in  the  ecclesi- 
astical concerns  of  America, 

"  This  we  have  apprehended  to  be  our  duty, 

^'  especially  in  our  present  circumstances  ]  not 

^'  only  that  we  might  strengthen  our  influence 

<^  in  suppressing  or  discouraging  any  measures 

"  that  might  be  fallen  upon  by  the  people  com- 

^*  mitted  to  our  care,  that  would  be  inconsistent 

"  with   our    character,  as  peaceable   and   loyal 

"  subjects,  or  detrimental  to  the  public  peace  and 

i^  tranquillity  ;  but  also  that  we  might,  as  faithful 

"  officers  in  the  church  of  Christ,  watch  over  her 

"  rights  and  privileges,  and  endeavour  more  ef- 

"  fectually  to  prevent  any  attempts  of  any  other 

"  denomination  of  christians  to  oppress  us.    The 

"  late  attempts  of  the  Episcopalian  missionaries 

"  among  us  to  introduce  an  American  Episco- 

"  pate,  have  given  a  very  just  and  general  alarm  to 

*'  our  churches,  who  fled  from  the  unmerciful  ri- 

"  gour  and  persecutions  of  diocesan  bishops  in  our 

**  mother  country,  to  settle  in  an  uncultivated  wil- 

"  derness.     The  recollection  of  the  cruelties  and 

"  hardships  which  our  fathers   suft'ered,    before 

*/  this  peaceful  retreat  was  opened  for  us,  fills  our 

*^  minds  with  an  utter  abhorrence  of  every  spe- 

-**  cies  of  ecclesiastical  tyranny  and  perseQution, 


it 


190  isJeiv-Yorh 

'^  and  therefore  we  would  guard  with  special  care 
"  against  admitting  any  just  suspicion  that  we 
"  would  suffer  that  to  take  place  among  ourselves, 
"  which  we  so  much  condemn  in  others. 

^*  We  oppose  not,  therefore,  the  introduction 
**  of  diocesan  bishops  in  America,  from  any  ap- 
prehension that  we  have  any  exclusive  privi- 
leges above  others,  or  from  any  right  we  have 
"  to  endeavour  to  prevent  them  from  enjoying  the 
**  same  liberty  with  any  other  denomination  of 
**  christians  in  the  colonies.  We  oppose  the 
"  scheme  from  very  different  motives  and  princi- 
**  pies.  Our  fears  would  not  be  so  much  alarm- 
"  ed,  could  any  rational  method  be  devised  for 
"  sending  over  bishops  among  us,  stripped  of  eve- 
"  ry  degree  of  civil  power,  and  confined  in  the 
^*  exercise  of  their  ecclesiastical  functions  to  their 
"  own  society  ;  and  could  we  have  sufficient  secu- 
^*  rity,  that  the  British  parliament  that  would  send 
"  them  over,  thus  limited,  to  gain  a  peaceable 
"  settlement  here,  would  never  be  induced  by  their 
^'  complaints  for  the  want  of  power,  to  enlarge 
it  at  any  future  period.  But  it  is  very  evident 
that  it  is  not  that  harmless  and  inoffensive  bishop 
which  is  designed  for  us,  or  which  the  mission- 
^'  aries  among  us  request )  and  therefore  we  cai^- 


ti 
it 


NerV'Yorh.  191 

*'  not  but  be  apprehensive  of  danger  from  the  pro- 
*'  posed  episcopate,  however  plausible  the  scheme 
**  may  be  represented.  We  all  know  the  jealousy 
*'  of  the  bishops  in  England  concerning*  their  own 
*^  power  and  dignity  suffering  by  the  example  of 
"  such  a  limited  bishop  in  America,  and  we  also 
"  know  the  force  of  a  British  act  of  parliament, 
**  and  have  reason  to  dread  the  establishment  of 
"  bishops'  courts  among  us.  Should  they  claim 
the  right  of  holding  these  courts,  and  of  exer- 
cising the  powers  belonging  to  their  office  by 
"  the  common  law  of  England,  (which  is  esteem- 
"  ed  the  birth-right  of  a  British  subject,)  we  could 
"  have  no  counterbalance  to  this  enormous  pow° 
*'  er  in  our  colonies,  where  we  have  no  nobility 
or  proper  courts,  to  check  the  dangerous  ex- 
ertions of  their  authority,  and  when  our  gover- 
nors and  judges  may  be  the  needy  dependents 
**  of  a  prime  minister,  and  therefore  afraid  to  dis- 
"  oblige  a  person  who  is  sure  of  being  supported 
"  by  the  whole  bench  of  bishops  in  England.  So 
"  that  our  civil  liberties  appear  to  us  to  be  m 
*'  eminent  danger  from  such  an  establishment. 
"  We  have  so  long  tasted  the  sweets  of  civil  and 
"  religious  liberty,  that  we  cannot  be  easily  pre- 
**  vailed  upon  to  submit  to  a  7/oke  of  bondage^ 


192  New-Yorh. 

*'  which  neither  7ve  nor  our  fathers  were  able  td 
''  bear  */' 

But  besides  acting  as  a  member  of  this  conven- 
tion, Mr.  Rodger s  was  associated  with  a  band  of 
worthies  in  the  city  of  New-York,  who  were  tirm 
friends  to  the  same  cause,  and  who  made  a  num- 
ber of  useful  publications  on  the  impolicy  and 
dangers  of  an  American  episcopate,  and  on  sub- 
jects connected  therewith.  Of  this  number  were 
the  Reverend  Doctors  Laidlief,  and  Mason,  with 


*  MS.  Records  of  the  Convention, 

t  The  Rev.  Archibald  Laidlie,  D.  D.  was  a  native  of 
Scotland.  lie  had  accepted  a  call  to  the  Butch  church 
of  Flushing,  in  Zealand,  and  had  been  four  years  the  pas- 
tor of  that  church  when  he  was  called  to  the  city  of  Ae^y- 
York,  where  he  arrived  in  1764.  He  was  the  first  min- 
ister of  the  Dutch  church  in  America,  who  officiated  in 
the  English  language.  He  was  a  man  of  distinguished  ta- 
ientft,  of  respectable  learning,  and  of  ardent  piety.  As  a 
preacher,  he  was  evangelical,  powerful,  popular,  and  sue- 
cessful  to  an  uncommon  degree ;  and  as  a  pastor,  indefati- 
gably  faithful.  His  ministry  was  greatly  blessed  to 
the  Dutch  church  in  J^eii)-  York.  He  died  at  Red- Hooky 
in  1778,  while  an  exile  from  the  city,  on  account  of  the 
revolutionary  war.  Probably  no  minister  ever  lived  in 
jyew'  York,  more  honoured,  or  more  useful,  or  died  more 
universally  regretted,  than  Doctor  Laidlie, 


New-York,  193 

William  Livingston  *,  William  Smith  f,  and 
John  Morin  Scott  J,  esquires,  who  were  vigilant 
oliservers  of  the  course  of  public  affairs,  and  who 
did  much  to  awaken  and  direct  the  public  mind, 
at  that  interesting  period.  Though  the  subject 
of  these  memoirs  did  not  himself  make  any  large 
publication  at  that  time ;  yet  he  published  some 
smaller  pieces,  which  were  considered  as  useful; 
and  constantly  aided  by  his  influence  and  his 
counsels,  the  cause  in  which  he  was  engaged. 

In  1768,  Mr.  Rodgers  had  the  degree  of  Doc- 
tor of  Divinity  conferred  on  him,  by  the  Univer- 
sity of  Edinburgh,  Academic  honours  of  this 
kind  have  become  so  common  at  the  pre- 
sent day,  that  their  value,  even  in  public  opinion, 
is  much  reduced.  But  this  was  by  no  means 
the  case  at  the  date  of  the  event  in  question. 
At  that  time,  considerable  advancement  in  age, 
and  more  than  usual  elevation  and  weight  of  cha- 

*  Afterwards  Governor  of  JSTew' Jersey ^  whose  charac- 
ter and  writings  are  well  known. 

t  The  Historian  of  JVeW'  York^  and  an  eminent  counsel- 
lor at  law  J  who  died,  a  few  years  ago,  chief  justice  of 
Canada. 

\  A  Counsellor  at  law,  of  much  eloquence,  wit,  and  in- 
fluence, at  that  period. 

25 


194  New-York, 

racter,  were  deemed  indispensable  requisites  far 
meriting  this  degree.  The  circumstances  also 
attending  this  tribute  of  respect  from  a  foreign 
XJniversity,  were  honourable  to  its  object.  It 
was  as  unexpected,  as  it  had  been  altogether  un- 
solicited by  him  Mr.  Whitefield  being  then  in 
London,  and  wishing  a  public  honour  of  this  nature 
to  be  conferred  on  his  American  friend,  commu- 
nicated his  wish  to  Dr.  Franklin,  who  was  also 
in  London,  at  the  same  time.  Dr.  Franklin,  at 
the  request  of  Mr.  Whitefield,  immediately  wrote 
to  Dr.  Robertson,  principal  of  the  University  of 
Edinburgh,  giving  Mr.  Rodders  such  a  charac- 
ter as  he  thought  proper,  and  requesting  for 
him,  from  that  university,  the  degree  of  doctor 
in  divinity.  Dr.  Robertson  immediately  took 
measures  for  complying  with  this  request.  The 
degree  was  conferred.  And  in  a  few  weeks 
Doctor  Franklin  received  the  official  testimonial 
of  the  fact,  which  he  sent  to  Mr.  Whitefield,  and 
which  was  by  him  transmitted  to  Mr.  Rodders, 
The  diploma  bore  date,  December  20,  1768, 
and  reached  the  hands  of  Mr.  Rodders,  in  the 
following  April,  in  the  forty  second  year  of  his 
age. 

The  gradual  depreciation  of  the  value  of  ho* 


NeW'YorTi.  195 

uoi'afy  c'eg^ees  in  later  times,  and  especially  in 
our  own  country,  may  be  ascribed  to  a  variety  of 
causes : — to  the  multiplication  of  colleges  in 
the  United  States,  be\  ond  the  necessities  of  the 
country,  and  beyond  its  power  of  efficient  sup- 
port ;  each  of  which  colleges,  deems  itself  bound 
to  continue  the  habit  of  annually  bestowing  its 
honours  : — to  the  great  increase,  of  the  number 
of  those,  in  proportion  to  the  mass  of  society, 
who  pass  through  a  collegiate  course,  and  receive 
the  first  collegiate  laurels,  by  which  their  ambi- 
tion is  excited  to  seek  after  those  of  a  hig'her 
grade :  and,  perhaps,  in  some  measure,  to  the  pre- 
vailing plan  of  government  adopted  in  col- 
leges on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  But  to  what- 
ever causes  it  may  be  ascribed,  the  fact  itself  is 
unquestionable ;  and  is  chargeable,  it  is  believed, 
in  a  greater  degree,  on  the  colleges  of  America^ 
than  on  any  others  in  the  world.  What  a 
contrast  between  that  state  of  public  sentiment, 
and  public  habit,  which  permitted  president 
Dickinson,  president  Burr,  president  Edwards, 
president  Davies,  the  apostolic  Tennenls,  Mr. 
Whitefield,  and  a  long  catalogue  of  similar  men, 
to  descend  to  their  graves  without  a  Doctorate  ; 
and  that  which  now  lavishes  the  title,  on  juvenili- 
ty, on  ignorance y  and  on  weakness,  with  a  frequen- 


196  New-Torh 

cy  altogether  unworthy  of  the  dispensers  of  litera- 
ry honour!  And  although  the  venerable  sub- 
ject of  these  memoirs,  received  his  education, 
his  habits,  and  his  clerical  title,  in  the  better  days 
of  literary  administration,  if  the  expression  may 
be  allowed  ;  yet  it  must  be  owned  that  his  great 
benevolence  and  urbanity,  too  often  prompted 
him,  when  called  to  act  as  one  of  the  guardians 
of  literature,  to  concur  in  that  system  of  facility 
and  yielding  on  this  subject,  which  has  so  much 
reduced  the  value  of  Academic  honours*. 


*  The  practice  of  conferring  the  honours  of  literary 
institutions  on  individuals  of  distinguished  erudition,  com- 
menced in  the  twelfth  century ;  when  the  Emperor  Zo- 
thaire,  having  found  in  Italy  a  copy  of  the  Roman  law, 
ordained  that  it  should  be  publicly  expounded  in  the 
schools  :  and  that  he  might  give  encouragement  to  the 
study,  'tC  further  ordered,  that  the  public  professors  of 
this  law  should  be  dignified  with  the  title  of  Doctors, 
The  first  person  created  a  Doctor^  after  this  ordinance 
of  the  Emperor,  was  Bulgarus  Hugolinusy  who  was 
greatly  distinguished  for  his  learning,  and  literary  la- 
bour. Not  long  afterwards  the  practice  of  creating  doc- 
tors was  borrowed  from  the  lawyers  by  divines^  who,  iiv 
their  schools,  publicly  taught  divinity,  and  conferred  de- 
grees on  those  who  had  made  great  proficiency  in  this 
science.  The  plan  of  conferring  degrees  in  divinity  was 
first  adopted  in  the  universities  of  Hologna^  Ox/ordyosid 


NeW'Yorh  197 

In  the  summer  of  1768,  the  Reverend  Doctor 
Witherspoon  reached  America,  and  took  charg^-e 
of  the  college  at  Princeton^  to  the  presidency  of 
which  he  had  been  called  a  short  time  before. 
Doctor  Rodders  was  among  the  first  to  do  honour 
to  the  talents,  learning,  and  piety  of  this  emi» 
Bent  stranger;  and  was  always  ranked  among 
his  most  respectful  and  affectionate  friends.  In 
1769,  he  accompanied  Dr.  Witherspoon  on  a 
visit  to  Boston,  and  other  parts  of  Neiv- England^ 
where  they  spent  some  weeks ;  and  where  they 
were  received  and  treated  with  the  most  gratify- 
ing distinction  and  respect.  This  journey  was 
exceedingly  interesting  to  both.  It  introduced 
them  to  a  new,  and  highly  valued  circle  of  friends  : 


Paris.  See  Mather*^s  Magnalia  Christi  Jmericana,  B» 
av.  p,  134.  It  is  remarkable  that  the  celebrated  Dr, 
Samuel  Johnson^  when  he  had  become  eminent  in  litera^ 
ture,  could  not  obtain  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts,  from 
Trinity  college,  Dublin,  though  powerful  interest  was 
made  in  his  behalf,  for  this  purpose,  by  Mr.  Pofie,  Lord 
Govjery  and  others.  Instances  of  the  failure  of  applica- 
tions of  a  similar  kind,  made  in  favour  of  characters  still 
more  distinguished  than  Johnson  then  was,  are  also  on 
record.  So  cautious  and  reserved  were  literary  institu- 
tions, a  little  more  than  half  a  century  ago,  in  bestowing- 
theii'  honours ! 


198  New-York. 

and  furnished  matter  for  pleasing  reflection,  and 
entertaining  anecdote,  to  the  end  of  life.  Few 
men  were  ever  more  free  from  feelings  of  envy 
and  jealousy  than  Dr.  Rodger s.  He  had  the 
discernment  to  perceive,  and  the  magnanimity  to 
acknowledge,  intellectual  and  literary  superiority 
wherever  they  existed ;  and  was  unfeignedly 
gratified  with  the  public  honours  received  and 
enjoyed  by  such  superior  minds.  His  inter- 
course with  Doctor  Witherspoon  was  a  striking 
exemplification  of  this  part  of  his  character. 
That  distinguished  president  of  Nassau-Hall^ 
had,  probably,  one  of  the  most  sound  and  vigor- 
ous minds  of  the  age  in  which  he  lived;  and  in 
every  company,  or  deliberative  body,  in  which  he 
appeared,  his  superiority  was  apparent*.     Yet 


*  Doctor  John  Withersfioon  was  a  native  of  Scotland^ 
•where  he  was  born,  February  5th,  1722.  He  was  lineal- 
ly descended  from  John  Knox^  the  eminent  reformer. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  university  of  Edinburgh') 
which  he  left,  after  completing  his  studies,  in  the  Theolo- 
gical Hall,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one.  From  that  period, 
until  his  arrival  in  America,  he  devoted  himself  to  the 
work  of  thie  gospel  ministry,  first  at  Beith,  and  after- 
wards at  Paisley.  Whether  we  consider  this  great  man. 
as  a  divine,  a  statesman,  or  the  head  of  a  literary  in- 
stitution,^ his  talents  and  usefulness  vrere  pre-eminent. 


New-York.  199 

no  man  ever  perceived  in  Doctor  Bodgers  the 
smallest  uneas.ness  at  the  fame  and  honours  of 
his  ilkistrious  friend  ;  though,   amidst  the  inter- 
course of  manv  vears,  he  was  often  called  to  wit- 
ness  them.     On  the  contrary,  he  was  ever  among 
the  most  forward  to  coi.fess  his  superior  powers, 
and  to  promote  his  merited  reputation.  He  culti- 
vated towaj'ds  hiui  the  most  affectionate  friend- 
Many  men  have  had  greater  brilliancy  of  genius,  and 
greater   variety   and   extent   of  learning  ;    but   scarcely 
any   man   ever  possessed  more  sound  practical  wisdom, 
more  comprehensive  views,  or  a  mass  of  information  better 
selected,   or   more  thoroughly  digested,  than   he.     His 
works    will    do    him    honour,    as    long    as    piety,    or- 
thodoxy, good  sense,  and  profound  discussion  of  truth 
and  duty,  shall  be  esteemed  among  men.     He  was  the 
first  person  in  Great-  'vitain  who  published  the   leading 
doctrine  relating  to  the  illustration  of  the  powers  of  the 
human  mind,  on  the  principles  of  common   sense,  after- 
wards so  largely  and  successfully  developed  by  Dr.  Reid, 
and  others.     It  is  asserted,  by  competent  judges,  that  an 
essay  in  the   Scott's  Magazine,  by   Doctor    Withers/ioon, 
published  several  years  before  Dr.   Heid  had   given  any 
thing  to  the  world  on  the  subject,  distinctly  exhibits  the 
grand  doctrine  for  which  the  latter  has  received  so  much 
praise.     And  it  is  certain  that  Dr.    Ulthersfioon  himself, 
whose  temper  was  very  remote  from  vanity  or  arrogance, 
always  laid  claim  to  the  honour  of  being,  in   a  sort,  the 
discoverer  of  that  doctrine. 


200  NeW'Yorh 

ship,  and  took  pleasure  in  acting  with  him,  as 
long  as  they  both  lived. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Synod,  in  1774,  Dr. 
Rodyers  was  appointed  to  spend  a  number  of 
weeks,  in  the  summer  and  autumn  of  that  year, 
on  a  missionary  tour,  through  the  northern,  and 
north  western  parts  of  the  province  of  New-York, 
He  accordingly  devoted  several  months  to  that 
service,  itinerating  and  preaching  the  gospel  with 
unwearied  zeal  and  assiduity  ;  for  the  most  part  in 
places  utterly  destitute  of  the  means  of  grace ;  gene- 
rally with  great  acceptance ;  and  in  a  number  of 
instances,  with  the  most  gratifying  success.  His 
labours,  in  the  course  of  that  mission,  were  the 
immediate  or  remote  means  of  forming  many 
churches,  which  have  since  proved  large,  flou- 
rishing, and  happy. 

The  period  in  which  the  Doctor  fulfilled  this 
mission,  was  the  period  rendered  memorable  by 
the  warm  dispute  between  the  settlers  in  the  terri- 
tory which  is  now  Vermont,  and  the  government 
of  New-York,  which  claimed  that  territory  as 
lying  within  its  jurisdiction.  Measures  of  great 
decision,  and  even  violence,  had  been  taken  by 
both  parties,  a  short  time  before  he  went  into  that 


Nerv-Yorh  201 

country;  so  that  he  found  the  public  mind,  par- 
ticularly in  VermonU  highly  irritated  and  inflam- 
ed. Nothing  was  further  from  his  view  than  any 
political  design ;  but  some  of  the  jealous  and  ex- 
asperated Yermonters,  knowing  that  he  came 
from  the  capital  of  New-Yorh,  and  connecting 
every  thing  with  the  existing  dispute,  suspected 
him  ot  being  engaged  \n  some  mission  or  plan 
unfriendly  to  their  claims.  In  a  particular 
town,  which  he  had  entered,  by  appoihtment, 
for  the  sole  purpose  of  preachmg,  he  observed, 
a  little  before  the  public  service  began,  se- 
veral rough  and  fierce  looking  men  approach 
the  house  in  which  he  was  about  to  preach,  and 
enter  into  very  earnest,  and  apparently  angry, 
conversation  with  those  who  were  near  the  door. 
He  was  utterly  ignorant,  at  the  time,  of  their 
design,  or  of  the  subject  of  their  conversation ; 
but  was  afterwards  informed,  that  they  were  very 
warmly  contending  with  his  friends,  that  he  was 
a  spy,  and,  of  course,  a  very  dangerous  charac- 
ter, and  that  he  ought  to  be  immediately  arrest- 
ed. It  was  in  vain  that  the  friends  of  the  Doc- 
tor remonstrated,  on  the  ground  of  the  sacred- 
ness  of  his  office,  and  the  solemnity  of  the  duty 
in  which  he  was  about  to  engage,  and  to  attend 
on  which  the  people  were  then  collecting.     His 

26 


202  New-York, 

angry  accusers  replied,  that  the  more  sacred  hiif 
office,  the  greater  his  power  of  doing*  mischief ; 
and  that  to  let  him  escape  would  be  treason  to 
their  cause.  At  length,  finding  that  all  they 
could  say  availed  nothing  to  his  exculpation,  and 
that  the  most  positive  assurances  of  his  being 
known  to  be  a  man  of  pious  and  exemplary 
character,  only  rendered  these  hostile  and  ar- 
dent spirits  more  determined  in  their  original 
purpose,  the  friends  of  the  Doctor  only  begged 
them  to  delay  the  seizure  of  his  person  until 
after  divine  service  should  be  closed,  as  it  would 
be  a  pity  to  disappoint  so  large  a  congregation 
as  had  then  assembled  for  public  worship.  To 
this  proposal,  after  much  persuasion,  they  reluct- 
antly consented,  and  divine  service  in  a  few  mo- 
ments began.  The  exercises  were  more  than 
usually  solemn  and  impressive  in  their  character ; 
many  of  the  congregation  were  in  tears;  and 
even  those  who  had  come  into  the  assembly  arm- 
ed with  so  much  resentment,  were  observed  to 
be  first  serious,  and  then  softened,  with  those 
around  them.  When  the  solemnities  of  worship 
were  ended,  they  said  nothing  more  about  their 
plan  of  arresting  the  preacher ;  but  quietly  re- 
tired, and  suffered  him  to  pursue  his  journey. 
Before  he  left  the  house,  however,  in  which  he 


NerV'Yorh  203 

had  preached,  the  owner  of  it,  who  had  stood 
his  firm  friend  in  the  contest,  put  him  on  his 
guard,  by  relating  all  that  had  passed. 

Two  or  three  days  after  this,  while  the  Doctor 
was  preaching  in  a  more  northern  town,  in  the 
same  district  of  country,  soon  after  the  public 
service  began,  he  saw  two  men  enter  the  assem- 
bly, marked  with  countenances  of  peculiar  fero- 
city and  rage.  He  afterwards  learned,  that  they 
had  come  from  a  southern  town,  under  the 
same  impressions,  and  with  the  same  views,  as 
their  predecessors  in  violence.  On  entering  the 
assembly,  they  seated  themselves,  resolving 
to  wait  until  the  service  should  be  ended, 
and  then  to  arrest  the  preacher.  The  exercises 
of  the  day,  as  in  the  former  case,  were  the 
means  of  disai'ming  them.  When  the  benedic- 
tion was  pronounced,  they  withdrew ;  saying  to 
each  other,  that  they  were  probably  mistaken  in 
the  man,  and  had  better  go  home. 

Those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  piety,  the^ 
fervour,  and  the  affection,  which  Dr.  Rocl(/ers 
habitually  manifested  in  his  public  addresses, 
will  feel  no  surprise  at  their  producing  such 
effects  as  these.     No  one  could  hear  him  without 


204  New-York. 

being;  impressed  with  the  conviction,  that  he  was 
not  acting  a  part ;  but  that  he  was  deeply  in 
earnest ;  that  he  felt  the  importance  of  what  he 
uttered ;  and  that  he  was  actuated  by  a  tender 
concern  for  the  temporal  and  eternal  welfare  of 
those  whom  he  addressed.  It  is  impossible,  here, 
not  to  recollect  the  case  of  an  inhnitely  greater 
than  the  subject  of  these  memoirs,  by  whose  dis- 
course the  officers  who  had  been  sent  to  seize 
him  were  disarmed  ;  and  concerning  whom  they 
ingenuously  said,  on  their  return,  never  man 
spake  like  this  man. 

In  1774,  it  was  judged  proper  to  make  one 
more  effort  to  obtain  a  charter  for  the  Church  in 
New-York,  Governor  Tryon,  being  about  to 
embark  for  Great- Britain,  in  the  autumn  of  that 
year,  was  made  fully  acquainted  with  all  the  steps 
which  had  been  taken,  at  different  times,  for  at- 
taining this  object,  and  also  with  all  the  distress- 
ing embarrassments  and  difficulties  which  had 
arisen  from  repeated  disappointments.  He  pro- 
fessed to  have  a  deep  conviction  of  the  injustice 
and  impolicy  of  the  treatment  which  the  congre- 
gation had  received  in  relation  to  this  affair  3  and 
promised  his  best  offices,  when  he  should  arrive 
in  hnyland,  to  promote  the  accomplishment  of 


New-York.  205 

their  wishes.  On  receiviiiof  from  him  declara- 
tions  and  assurances  of  this  kind,  that  he 
might  be  furnished  with  a  proper  document  to 
lay  before  the  King  and  the  Privy  Council  on 
the  subject,  a  petition  was  formally  presented 
to  him,  making  suitable  statements,  and  praying 
for  a  charter.  Petitions  of  a  similar  nature  were 
presented  to  the  Governor,  from  several  Presby- 
terian congregations,  in  different  parts  of  the 
province,  and  also  from  several  Low  Dutch  Re- 
formed congregations.  These  petitions  he  took 
with  him,  and  pursued  the  business  intrusted  to 
him  with  so  much  fidelity,  that  he  actually  obtain- 
ed an  order  from  the  King  and  Council  to  grant 
all  the  charters  for  which  application  had  been 
made.  On  his  return  to  New-York,  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1775,  he  imparted  this  pleasing  intelli- 
gence to  the  several  petitioners ;  in  consequence 
of  which,  the  ministers,  elders,  deacons  and 
trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  the  city,  in 
compliance  with  a  form  which  they  were  told 
was  necessary,  presented  another  petition  to  the 
Governor  and  Council,  accompanied  with  a  draft 
of  the  charter  for  which  they  prayed.  This  pe- 
tition was  favourably  received;  the  charter,  as 
drafted,  actually  passed  the  Council;  and  was 
put  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Kemp,  the  King's  at- 


206  New-York. 

torney,  to  report  thereon.  The  report  of  this  of- 
ficer was  made  necessary  by  the  tenour  of  the 
royal  order ;  but  was,  at  the  same  time,  consider- 
ed as  a  mere  formahty,  and  a  favourable  report 
as  a  thing  of  course,  after  the  steps  which  had 
been  taken.  In  this,  however,  the  persons  con- 
cerned were  deceived.  Neither  the  charter,  nor 
his  report  upon  it,  could  ever  be  gotten  out  of  the 
attorney's  hands.  On  one  frivolous  pretence  or 
another,  he  delayed  from  time  to  time,  until  the 
approach  of  the  revolutionary  struggle,  which, 
while  it  rendered  the  congregation  less  solici- 
tous about  obtaining  a  charter,  attracted  and 
fixed  their  attention  on  other  subjects. 

Doctor  Rodgers  was  an  early,  and  a  decided 
friend  to  American  independence.  When  the 
contest  between  Great-Britain  and  her  colonies 
was  drawing  to  a  crisis,  and  it  became  evident 
that  an  appeal  to  the  sword  was  unavoidable,  he 
did  not  hesitate  to  take  side  with  the  latter ;  and 
was  the  uniform,  zealous,  and  active  advocate  of 
his  country's  rights.  A  few  of  the  principal 
members  of  his  Church  took  a  different  course* ; 

*  Among  those  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  J^ew-York^  who  took  the  side  of  Great- Britain^  in  this 
contest,were  Andreio  Eliot^  Esquire,  the  collector  of  the 
port  J   William  Smithy  Esquire,  mentioned  in  a  preceding 


Nm-Yorh  207 

but  a  great  majority  of  them  decided  and  acted 
in  concurrence  with  their  pastor.  For  a  consi- 
derable time  before  this  crisis  arrived.  Doctor 
Modgers,  and  several  other  clergymen  of  the 
city,  among-  whom  were  Doctor  Mason,  and 
Doctor  Laidlie,  had  been  in  the  habit  of  holding 
weekly  meetings,  for  cultivating  friendship  with 
each  other,  and  for  mutual  instruction.  To- 
ward the  close  of  1776,  the  gentlemen  concern- 
ed, agreed  to  sus|»end  their  usual  exercises  at 
these  meetings,  and  to  employ  the  time,  when 
they  came  together,  in  special  prayer  for  a  bless- 
ing upon  the  countr}^,  in  the  struggle  on  which 
it  was  entering.  This  meeting,  thus  conducted, 
was  kept  up,  until  the  ministers  composing  it, 
and  the  great  mass  of  the  people  under  their 
pastoral  care,  retired  from  the  city,  previous  to 
the  arrival  of  the  British  forces. 

It  being  taken  for  granted,  immediately  after 
the   commencement  of  hostilities   with    Great- 

page ;  James  Jauncey^  Esquire,  a  gentleman  of  great 
wealth  and  respectability,  and  some  others,  to  whom  Dr. 
Rodgers  was  greatly  attached,  and  from  whom  he  sepa- 
rated with  pain.  But,  compared  with  the  body  of  the 
congregation,  the  number  of  those  who  took  this  ground 
was  extremely  small. 


208  New-York. 

Britain,  that  gaining  possession  of  New-York 
would  be  one  of  the  first  and  most  favourite  ob- 
jects of  that  government ;  and  the  movements  of 
the  enemy  soon  beginning  to  confirm  this  ex- 
pectation, a  large  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
city,  not  wishing  either  to  join  the  British,  or  to  lie 
at  their  mercy,  thought  proper  to  retire  from  the 
scene,  and  go  into  a  voluntary  exile.  The 
greater  portion  of  those  who  took  this  course, 
left  the  city  toward  the  close  of  the  winter  and 
in  the  spring  of  1776.  On  the  29th  of  Febru- 
ary, Dr.  Rodger s  removed  his  family  to  a  place 
of  retirement,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  city ; 
where  they  remained  during  the  months  of 
March  and  Aprik  and  from  which  he  found  it 
convenient  to  visit  the  city,  as  often  as  his  pro- 
fessional duties  required. 

On  the  14th  day  of  April,  in  that  year,  Ge- 
neral Washington  reached  New-Yoik,  and  took 
possession  of  it  for  its  defence.  Soon  after  his 
arrival.  Dr.  Rodgers,  in  company  with  other 
friends  of  the  American  cause,  waited  on  the  Ge- 
neral to  pay  him  his  respects.  The  General 
received  him  with  pointed  attention;  and  when 
he  was  about  to  retire,  followed  him  to  the  door, 
and  observed,  that  his  name  had  been  mentioned 


to  him  in  Philadelphia^  which  he  had  just  left,  as 
a  gentleman  whose  fidelity  to  the  mterest  and  li- 
berties of  the  country  might  be  relied  on,  and 
who  might  be  capable  of  giving  him  important 
information :  and  added,  "May  I  take  the  hberty, 
"  Sir,  to  apply  to  you,  with  this  view,  whenever 
"  circumstances  may  render  it  desirable?"  The 
Doctor,  after  assuring  him  of  the  readiness  and 
pleasure  with  which  he  should  render  him,  in 
the  cause  in  which  he  was  engaged,  any  service 
in  his  power,  took  his  leave.  It  is  not  impro- 
per to  add,  that  the  General  actually  did  con- 
sult the  Doctor,  on  several  occasions  afterwards, 
concerning  certain  parts  of  the  public  service, 
and,  particularly  in  one  case,  received  from  him 
important  information.  A  number  of  letters 
passed  between  them,  some  of  which  were  found 
among  the  Doctor's  papers  after  his  decease. 

In  the  month  of  May,  1776,  the  Doctor  remov- 
ed his  family  from  the  neighbourhood  of  JServ- 
York  to  Greenfield,  in  Connecticut,  as  a  place 
of  more  comfortable  retirement  and  greater 
safety.  About  the  same  time,  or  a  few  weeks 
afterwards,  the  great  body  of  his  congregation 
left  the  city,  and  either  joined  the  army,  to  ren- 
der what  aid  they  were  able   to  the   common 

27 


210  New-York. 

cause,  or  took  i^fuge  in  such  parts  of  the  adjacent 
country  as  were  most  secure  from  the  incursions 
of  the  enemy.  The  Reverend  Mr.  Treat,  his 
colleague,  leit  the  city  about  the  same  time. 

It  ought  not  to  be  omitted,  that  Doctor  Rodg- 
ers,  among  the  many  points  in  which  his  contiuct 
is  worthy  of  remembrance  and  imitation,  dis- 
played, about  this  time,  that  tender  filial  aflection, 
which  might  have  been  expected  from  his  gene- 
ral character.  A  few  years  before  the  commence- 
ment of  the  revolutionary  war,  his  father's  house, 
in  the  city  of  Philadelpiiia,  was  consumed  by 
fire,  and  his  father  perished  in  the  flames.  He 
immediatety  took  his  mother  under  his  own  roof, 
and,  as  long  as  she  lived,  displayed  towards  her 
all  the  unremitting  attentions  of  the  most  dutiful 
son.  He  removed  her,  at  the  commencement  of 
the  war,  into  Connecticut^  where  she  died,  in  the 
course  of  the  next  year,  at  a  good  old  age,  and 
after  a  life  of  exemplary  piety. 

A  short  time  after  the  removal  of  Dr.  Rodger s 
to  New-York,  and  more  particularly  after  the 
public  testimony  of  respect  which  he  received 
from  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  he  was  led,  by 
a  variety  of  circumstances,  to  commence  a  cor- 


NerV'Yorh  211 

respondence  with  several  gentlemen  of  distinc- 
tion, in  Great- Britain,  which  he  maintained,  un- 
til the  commencement  of  hostilities  interrupted 
the  intercourse  with  that  country;  and  which, 
with  respect  to  most  of  them,  he  resumed  and 
continued,  after  the  restoration  of  peace.  Among 
these  gentlemen,  were  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gillies,  of 
Glasgow,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gibbons,  of  London,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Price,  of  Hackney,  and  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Ryland,  of  NortJiampton,  But  among  all  his 
friends  beyond  the  Atlantic,  he  prized  the  corres- 
pondence of  none  more  than  that  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Erskine,  of  Edinburgh,  whose  talents,  learning, 
and  fervent  piety,  rendered  him  eminent  thi-ough- 
out  Protestant  Christendom.  His  epistolary  in- 
tercourse with  this  venerable  clergyman  was  con- 
stant and  peculiarly  affectionate,  and  continued 
till  the  death  of  Dr.  Erskine,  which  took  place 
seven  or  eight  years  before  that  of  Dr.  Rodgers"^, 

*  An  incident  connected  with  the  correspondence  with 
Dr.  Erskine,  impressed  the  writer  of  these  pages  very 
forcibly  at  the  time  of  its  occurrence.  When  Dr.  Rodg- 
ers  received  the  news  of  the  death  of  that  excellent  man, 
he  was  himself  recovering  from  a  severe  illness,  and  was 
deeply  affected  with  the  intelligence.  After  some  pious 
remarks,  and  a  reference  to  the  circumstance  of  Dr.  Ers' 
kine*s  age  and  his  own  being  nearly  the  same  ;  he  added, 


212  NeW'York. 

"  I  have  now  lost  the  last  of  my  correspondents  in  Great 
"  Britain.  I  believe  I  must  open  a  correspondence  with 
"  Dr.  Balfour,  of  Glasgow  ;  as  I  do  not  wish  to  be  without 
"  a  friend  on  that  side  of  the  Atlantic,  with  whom  I  can 
"  occasionally  exchange  letters."  The  wriier  acknow- 
ledges that  the  first  impression  made  on  his  mind  by  this  re- 
mark, from  the  lips  of  a  man  of  76  or  77  years  of  age,  and 
then  so  feeble  as  not  to  be  likely  to  live  many  months, 
was  rather  of  the  ludicrous  kind.  But  a  moment's  re- 
flection entirely  removed  this  impression,  and  produced 
one  of  respect  and  admiration.  It  was  the  same  firm, 
persevering,  practical  spirit,  which  had  attended  Dr. 
jRodgers  through  life,  and  had  prompted  him  to  so  much 
active  usefulness,  which,  on  this  occasion,  led  him,  in- 
stead of  giving  up  to  inaction  and  languor,  for  the  re- 
mainder of  life,  to  go  on  laying  new  plans  for  exertion 
and  enjoyment,  as  long  as  he  had  power  to  make  an 
effort.  The  famous  motto  of  Dr.  Doddridge,  Dum  -uivi- 
mus,  vivamus,  has  an  admirable  application  here.  There 
is  no  doubt,  that  the  premature  dotage  of  many  distin- 
guished men,  has  arisen  from  their  ceasing,  in  advanced 
life,  to  exert  their  faculties,  under  the  impression  that 
they  were  too  old  to  engage  in  any  new  enterprise.  If 
the  spirit  of  Dr.  Rodger s  were  more  prevalent,  old  metJ 
would  live  with  more  comfort,  and  to  more  purpose. 


CHAP.  VI. 

Septennium  luctuosum,  gloriosissimum. 

The  period  of  his  Exile  from  New-York,  during 
the  Revolutionary  War, 

In  the  month  of  April,  1776,  Dr.  Rodders  was 
appointed  chaplain  to  General  HeatKs  brigade, 
consisting"  partly  of  militia,  and  partly  of  regular 
troops,  enlisted  for  a  short  period.  This  brigade 
for  several  months,  during  the  spring  and  sum- 
mer of  this  year,  was  stationed  near  Greenwich, 
on  New-York  island.  The  Doctor,  therefore, 
after  placing  his  family  at  Greenfield,  as  before 
stated,  under  the  hospitable  roof  of  his  excellent 
son-in-law,  the  Rev.  Mr.  (afterwards  Dr.)  Ten- 
nent,  returned  to  the  neighbourhood  of  the  city, 
and  faithfully  attended  to  the  duties  of  his  chap- 
laincy. Whatever  he  did,  he  did  with  his  might. 
He  engaged,  with  his  wonted  zeal,  in  plans  for 
benefiting  the  soldiery,  and  devoted  himself  to 
their  best  interests.  He  frequently,  in  subse- 
quent years,  pointed  to  a  small  grove  near  the 
spot  on  which  the  State  Prison  now  stands,  and 


214  Revolutionary  War, 

said,  "  That  was  my  Church  in  the  summer  and 
autumn  of  1776." 

In  the  month  of  November  of  that  year,  having 
important  private  business  to  transact  in  the  state 
of  Georgia,  he  resigned  his  chaplaincy,  and 
leaving  his  family  still  at  Greenfield,  he  set 
out,  by  land,  for  Savannah,  On  this  occasion, 
as  well  as  every  other  of  a  similar  kind,  he  made 
his  journey  a  kind  of  evangelical  mission;  preach- 
ing, not  only  regularly  on  the  sabbath;  but  also 
on  the  evenings  of  week  days,  when  he  found 
the  people  in  those  towns  in  which  he  arrived 
desirous  of  hearing  the  word,  and  in  circum- 
stances which  admitted  of  their  being  readily 
convened  for  the  purpose.  He  had  much  reason 
to  believe  that  his  labours  in  the  course  of  that 
journey  were  useful  to  many  individuals. 

Having  spent  some  time  in  Charleston,  and  the 
intermediate  country,  he  reached  Savannah  in 
the  month  of  Januar3^  Here  he  remained  a 
number  of  weeks,  in  the  house  of  his  friend,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Zubly,^  who  revered  and  loved  him, 

*  John  Joachim  Zubly,T>.T).  was  a  native  of  Snvitzerland, 
He  came  to  America,  and  took  charge  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  Savannah,  in  the   year   1760.     He  not  only 


Revolutionary  War,  215 

and  who  had  been  his  guest  a  short  time  before 
in  New-York,  In  Savannah  he  found  himself 
on  ground  which  had  been  often  trod  by  his  illus- 
trious friend,  and  spiritual  father,  Mr.  White- 
field;  and  had  an  opportunity  of  contemplating' the 
monuments  of  his  pious  zeal.  The  friends  of 
that  eminent  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  received 
and  treated  him  with  the  most  pointed  respect ; 
and  testified  their  readiness  to  embrace  with  af- 
fection one  who  appeared  to  have  drunk  so  deep 

preached  in  that  church.  In  the  RngUsh  language  ;  but 
also  in  one  neighbouring  congregation  in  German^  and 
in  another  in  French.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Provin- 
cial Congress  of  Georgia^  \n  1775;  but  as  he  took,  the 
side  of  opposition  to  American  independence,  he  incurred 
the  frowns  of  a  majority  of  his  fellow-citizens ;  and  be- 
came, for  the  remainder  of  his  life,  less  happy  and  less 
useful.  Dr.  Zubly  was  a  man  of  strong  mind,  of  great 
learning,  and  of  eminent  piety.  His  evangelical  labours 
"were  zealous,  unwearied,  and  extensively  useful.  The 
few  and  small  publications  which  he  made  do  honour  to 
his  memory.  He  died  at  Savannah^m  1781.  Dr.  Rodg- 
ers  and  he  had  a  great  respect  for  each  other.  The  only 
subject  on  which  they  ever  materiaily  differed,  was  that 
of  American  independence.  Dr.  Zubly  was  much  grieved 
in  the  course  of  the  visit  in  question,  at  the  decisive  and 
ardent  manner  in  which  Dr.  Rodger s  prayed,  in  public 
and  private,  for  the  success  of  the  arms,  and  the  establish- 
ment of  the  independence,  of  .4?nerica. 


216  Revolutionary  War, 

at  the  same  fountain,  and  to  be  animated  with 
the  same  spirit,  which  distinguished  their  de- 
ceased friend  and  benefactor. 

In  the  month  of  April,  1777,  Dr.  Rodders  re- 
turned from  Georgia^  and  joined  his  family  at 
Greenfield,  On  his  way  home,  he  was  informed 
of  his  election  to  the  office  of  chaplain  to  the  Con- 
vention of  the  state  of  New-  York,  then  sitting  in 
Esopus,  and  engaged,  among  other  things,  in 
forming  a  Constitution  for  the  state.  On  receiv- 
ing this  information,  he  immediately  repaired  to 
the  Convention,  and  entered  on  the  duties  of  his 
office.  He  continued  to  serve  that  body  in  the 
capacity  of  Chaplain,  as  long  as  it  continued  to  sit. 
On  the  dissolution  of  the  Convention,  and  on  the 
power  of  the  state  being  temporarily  lodged  in  a 
Council  of  Safety,  which  also,  for  some  weeks, 
held  its  meetings  at  Esopus,  the  Doctor  was 
chosen  to  the  chaplaincy  in  that  body.  And 
shortly  afterwards,  when  the  first  Legislature  of 
the  state,  under  the  new  constitution,  convened, 
he  was  a  third  time  elected,  to  serve  the  legisla- 
ture in  the  same  office.  In  fulfilling  the  duties 
of  these  successive  appointments,  he  and  his 
family,  which  he  had  now  removed  from 
Greerifield,  were   led  to  reside  at  Esopus  the 


JRevoliitionary  War,  217 

whole  of  the  summer,  and  a  part  of  the  autumn 
©fl777. 

mWo  or  three  days  before  the  burning"  of  JEJ^o- 
pjis,  by  the  British  troops,  which  took  place  in 
October  of  this  year.  Dr.  Rodgers^  learning  that 
the  enemy's  fleet  was  ascending  the  river,  and 
fearing  those  acts  of  wanton  and  cruel  devasta- 
tion, which  were  afterwards  so  unhappily  realiz- 
ed, thought  proper  to  remove  his  family  to  the 
eastern  side  of  the  river,  to  a  settlement  smaller j 
and  less  likely  to  be  the  object  of  hostile  opera- 
tions, than  a  town  which  was  then  the  seat  of  go- 
vernment of  the  state.  Here,  in  a  house  near 
the  place  of  landing,  he  deposited  the  trunks 
containing  his  books,  his  plate,  and  all  the  most 
valuable  articles  of  portable  property,  which  the 
•enemy  and  his  frequent  removals  had  left  him. 
In  this  place  he^  as  well  as  all  whom  he  had  con- 
sulted on  the  subject,  considered  them  as  per- 
fectly safe,  and  supposed  all  further  precaution 
to  be  unnecessary;  In  a  few  hours,  however,  af- 
ter they  w  ere  thus  deposited,  an  aged  and  illiter- 
ate German,  with  whom  he  was  but  little  ac- 
quainted, and  whom  he  chiefly  knew  as  a  great 
friend  to  the  clergy  and  to  the  American  cause, 
came  to  him  late  at  night,  and  with  much  ap- 

28 


218  Revolutionary  Wat. 

parent  anxiety,  asked  him  where  he  had  left  his 
baggage.  The  Doctor  informed  him.  He  re- 
phed,  with  earnestness,  "  It  must  be  removed 
"  this  night."  It  was  in  vain  that  the  distance 
of  the  place  of  deposit,  which  was  several 
miles ;  the  late  horn*  of  the  night  -,  the  impossi- 
bility of  obtaining  the  means  of  transportation 
mitil  the  next  day ;  and  the  supposed  safety  of  the 
baggage  in  its  then  situation,  were  urged.  The 
honest  German,  to  all  these  suggestions,  had  no- 
thing else  to  reply  than,  "  I  tell  you  your  things 
*'  must  be  removed  this  night ;"  and  when  he 
found  that  no  other  plan  would  answer,  actually 
took  a  wagon  and  went  himself,  and  brought 
them  to  the  place  where  the  Doctor  and  his  fa- 
mily lodged.  It  is  remarkable  that  before  the 
light  of  the  next  morning  dawned,  the  house  in 
which  this  baggage  had  been  deposited,  was 
burnt  to  ashes  by  the  British  troops ! 

Eso2ms  being  burnt,  the  Doctor  was  compelled 
to  seek  some  other  place  of  residence.  And  con- 
sidering the  towns  on  the  margin  of  the  Hudson 
as  too  much  exposed  to  the  attacks  of  the  enemy, 
he  determined  to  select  a  more  retired  situation. 
With  this  view,  he  made  choice  of  the  town  of 
Sharon,  m  the  state  of  Connecticut,  to  which  he 


Hevolutionary  War.  219 

removed  his  family,  toward  the  end  of  October, 
1777,  where  he  spent  the  following  winter.  Dur- 
ing his  residence  here,  he  preached  repeatedly 
for  the  Reverend  Mr.  Smith,  the  minister  of  the 
town ',  but  more  frequently  to  a  congregation  in 
the  town  of  Amenia,  in  Dutchess  county,  Neiv- 
York,  lying  adjacent  to  Sharon,  in  which  he, 
shortly  afterwards,  made  a  temporary  settlement. 
The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  a  Gen- 
tleman residing  in  that  neighbourhood,  contains 
the  best  account  that  could  be  collected,  of  his 
ministry,  during  the  time  that  he  spent  in  Sharon 
and  Amenia, 

*'  Dr.  Rodgers  came  to  Sharon,  with  his  family, 
^'  in  the  autumn  of  1777,  and  for  several  succes- 
"  sive  sabbaths  preached  in  the  Rev.  Mr.  Smith's 
"  pulpit,  to  the  great  acceptance  of  both  pastor 
"  and  people.  Early  in  the  following  winter,  in 
"  consequence  of  an  urgent  application,  he  con- 
"  sented  to  supply  a  congregation  in  the  south- 
**  east  part  of  Amenia,  which  had  become  va- 
"  cant  by  the  dismission  of  their  minister,  the 
"  Rev.  Mr.  Knibloe.  The  parish  is  composed 
"  in  about  equal  numbers  of  inhabitants  from  the 
"  the  two  adjoining  states ;  the  southern  section 
"  of  the  town  of  ^haron,  by  an  early  regulation 


it 


220  Revolutionanj  War, 

^'  having'  been  annexed,  for  parochial  purposes, 
"  to  that  part  of  Amenia,     The  church  is  of  the 
"  congregational  denomination,  and  stands  con- 
^*  nected  with  the  association  of  Litchfield  coun- 
"  ty.     At  their  place  of  worship,  more  than  four 
"  miles  distant  from  his  abode,  the  Doctor  at- 
tended regularly  every  Sunday,  m^til  the  open- 
ing of  the  spring,  when  he  removed  his  family 
<*^  into  that  neighbourhood.     He  has  there  left 
lasting  memorials  of  his  usefulness,  and  his 
name  will  be  long  held  in  grateful  and  affec- 
^*  tionate  remembrance.    The  society  was  agitata 
"  ed  by  the  most  unhappy  divisions.     A  spirit 
"  of  discord  had  prevailed  for  several  years  be« 
"  fore  the  removal  of  their  minister,   and  was 
^*  far  from  being  quieted  by  that  event.     Under 
t*  these  discouraging  prospects,  the  Doctor  com- 
"  menced  his  labours ;  and  by  the  blessing  of 
"  God  thev  were  crowned  with  remarkable  sue- 
"  cess.     His  mild  and  condescending,  yet  digni- 
"  fied  deportment,  more  especially  his  fervent  pie- 
<*  ty,  the  energy  of  his  public  addresses,  and  the 
"  sanctity  of  his  life  and  conversation,  effectually 
"  secured  him  the  affection  and  reverence  of  all 
"  parties.     Harmony  was  soon  restored  ',  and  has 
*'  continued  without  interruption  until  the  present 
If  time..     Shortly  after  his  departure,  the  peaple 


Revolutionary  War.  221 

?^  united  in  building  a  new  and  more  spacious 
"  cliurch,  and  in  making"  a  permanent  provisioa 
»'*  for  the  support  of  the  Gospel. 

<*  But  Dr.  jRodgers  did  not  confine  his  active 
^*  and  useful  exertions  to  the  place  of  his  imme- 
"  diate  residence.     He  preached  lectures   fre- 
^^  quently  in  the  neighbouring  parishes.     To  a 
"  society  of  free-masons  in  Stockhridge,  (Mass,) 
**  by  particular  request,  he  delivered  a  sermon, 
"which  the  society  procured  to  be  printed,  and 
"  which  was  very  favourably  received  by  the  pub- 
***  lie.     He  also  made  a  tour  into  Vermont  ;  dis- 
*•  pensed  the  word  in  the  several  towns  through 
which  he  passed ;  and  every  where  attracted 
the  deep  regard  of  his  hearers.     He  attended 
"  the  various  meetings  of  the  clergy  ;  and  enjoy- 
"  ed,    in    an  eminent   degree,    the  confidence. 
"  and  esteem  of  his  brethren  in    the   ministry, 
"  They  admired  him,  not  only  for  those  superior 
**  endowments  which  constituted  '  his  praise  in  all 
<*  the  churches,'  but  also  for  the  gracefulness  of 
"  his  person  and  manners,  the  charms  of  his  con- 
"  versation,    and    the  surprising   patience,    and 
"  even  cheerfulness,  with  which  he  bore  a  painful 
"  exile,  the  duration  of  which  was  involved  in  the 
*i  most  gloomy  uncertainty.     In  short,  he  was 


4( 


222  Revolutionary  War. 

"  respected  and  beloved  by  all  descriptions  of 
"  men.  And  notwithstanding  those  in  this  part 
*'  of  the  country,  *  who  knew  him  best  and  loved 
**  him  most/  have  preceded  him  to  the  grave, 
there  are  still  many  sm-vivors  to  attest,  not  mere- 
ly to  his  talents  as  a  divine,  but  that  no  man 
"  ever  exhibited  a  more  happy  union  of  all  those 
"  qualities  which  go  to  form  the  gentleman  and 
"  the  christian. 

**  Whilst  the  Doctor  remained  at  Amenia,  he 
"  received  repeated  and  pressing  solicitations  to 
remove  to  Danhury,  and  preach  to  the  first  so- 
ciety in  that  town.  Perceiving  a  prospect  of 
"  more  extensive  usefulness  in  that  quarter,  and 
"  of  better  accommodations  for  his  family,  he  at 
"  length  yielded  to  these  considerations,  and, 
"  to  the  great  regret  of  the  people  of  Amenia, 
"  left  them  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1780." 

It  was  in  the  month  of  April,  in  the  year  above- 
mentioned,  that  the  Doctor  removed  with  his  fa- 
mily to  Danhury,  He  found  the  congregation 
in  that  town  in  a  divided  and  broken  state,  and 
labouring  under  all  those  habits  of  coldness,  neg- 
ligence, and  disorder,  which  the  want  of  a  pas- 
tor and  of  the  regular  administration  of  gospel 


i6 


Revolutionary  War.  223 

ordinances,  for  several  years  preceding,  might 
have  been  expected  to  produce.  He  proved  to 
them,  as  he  had  proved  to  the  congregation  of 
Amenia,  a  messenger  of  peace.  His  prudence, 
wisdom,  and  zeal,  were,  as  before,  conspicuous. 
The  divisions  among  the  people  were,  in  a  great 
measure,  healed  \  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel, 
some  of  which  had  been  long  neglected,  were 
regularly  administered  ;  the  church  was  greatlj 
edified  and  comforted ;  and  numbers  were  added 
to  its  communion,  whose  life  and  conversatioa 
have  since  manifested  the  sincerity  of  their  pro- 
fession. 

While  Dr.  Rodgers  was  at  Danhnry,  though 
he  considered  his  settlement  in  that  place  as  only 
temporary ;  and  though  he  on  this  account  de- 
clined being  installed  as  the  pastor  of  the  church, 
expecting,  on  the  restoration  of  peace,  to  return 
to  his  pastoral  charge  in  New-York;  yet  he  judged 
it  expedient  to  connect  himself,  in  the  meanwhile, 
with  some  regular  ecclesiastical  body.  He, 
therefore,  soon  after  his  removal  thither,  joined 
the  western  Association  of  Fairfield  county,  of 
which  he  remained  a  member  as  long  as  he  re- 
sided in  the  state.  But  he  did  not  merely  join 
the  Association.     Though  a  firm  Presbyterian  in 


224  Revolulioiiaru  War, 

principle,  and  a  full  believer  in  the  apostolic  ori- 
gin of  that  form  of  Church  government;  he 
thought  himself  justifiable,  situated  as  he  then 
was,  in  holding  the  most  unreserved  and  affec- 
tionate communion  with  Churches  which,  though 
defective,  approach  so  near  to  the  primitive  mo* 
del  as  the  Con  ore  nationalists  of  Connecticut 
He  therefore  entered,  with  fraternal  cordiality, 
into  the  whole  ecclesiastical  system,  in  the  midst 
of  which  Providence  had  cast  his  lot.  He  assist- 
ed in  ordaining,  installing,  and  dismissing  Coun- 
cils ;  he  served,  in  his  turn,  as  Moderator  of  As- 
sociations, and  Consociations ;  and  rendered 
himself  highly  acceptable  to  his  neighbouring 
brethren  in  the  ministr}^,  and  to  the  body  of  the 
people,  by  the  promptness  and  the  zeal  with 
Avhich  he  co-operated  with  them  in  all  plans  fof 
the  oreneral  advancement  of  relio'ioue 

Although  the  labours  of  Doctor  Hodgers  iii 
Danhury  were  not  attended  with  any  remarka- 
ble revival  of  religion,  they  were  by  no  means 
Avithout  visible  success.  The  ConPTe^ation  was 
gradually  restored  to  union  and  otder ;  the  chil- 
dren were  collected  and  instructed ;  the  taste  for 
sound  and  faithful  preaching  evidently  increased ; 
the  attendance  on  public  ordinances  grew  more 


Revolutionary  War.  225 

and  more  general ;  and  the  whole  aspect  of  the 
congreg-dtion,  when  he  left  it,  was  decidedly 
more  favourable  than  when  he  commenced  his 
labours  as  its  pastor. 

But  the  labours  of  this  venerable  servant  of 
Christ,  though  generally  and  highly  acceptable 
to  the  congregation,  were  not  universally  so. 
Some  of  the  enemies  of  the  truth,  thought  him, 
in  many  of  his  addresses  from  the  pulpit,  too 
plain  and  pointed  to  be  borne.  One  person  in 
particular,  who  held  a  sort  of  pre-eminence  in 
this  class,  after  hearing  one  of  the  Doctor's  most 
solemn  and  pungent  sermons,  declared,  that  *'  if 
he  ever  went  to  hear  him  preach  again,  he 
hoped  his  arm  might  rot  from  his  shoulder." 
In  a  few  weeks  afterwards,  this  person  was  seiz- 
ed with  a  swelling  in  his  right  hand,  which  gra- 
dually extending  up  his  arm,  a  mortification  en- 
sued, and  he  died  miserably ;  his  arm,  before  his 
death,  literally  rotting  from  his  body.  This 
event  made  a  deep  impression  on  multitudes; 
though  the  unhappy  victim  himself,  to  the  last 
hour  of  his  life,  discovered  no  symptoms  of  re- 
lenting or  penitence. 

Doctor  Rodgers,  while  in  Danhury,  as  had 

29 


(6 


226  Revolutionary  War. 

been  the  case  in  the  former  places  of  his  resi- 
dence, by  no  means  confined  his  labours  to  his 
own  cong-regation.  He  was  an  unwearied  la- 
bourer in  the  word  and  doctrine,  and  an  assidu- 
ous peace-maker,  wherever  he  went.  He  preach- 
ed in  vacant  parishes ;  assisted  his  neighbouring 
brethren  in  their  public  labours ;  interposed  with 
his  best  advice,  and  conciliatory  persuasion,  in 
cases  of  ecclesiastical  division  and  difficulty ; 
and,  in  one  instance  particularly,  was  the  means 
of  bringing"  about  a  reconciliation  between  a 
neighbouring  chui'ch,  and  a  refractory  member, 
to  effect  v^^hich,  the  benevolent  exertions  of  others 
had  long  been  employed  in  vain. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1782,  when  the  Doc- 
tor had  resided  a  little  more  than  two  years  in 
JDanhury,  some  circumstances  occurring  which 
rendered  his  situation  less  pleasant  than  before, 
he  determined  to  leave  it;  and  being  invited 
about  the  same  time  by  the  church  of  Laming- 
ton,  in  Hunterdon  county,  JS erv-J ersey ,  to  come 
and  minister  to  them,  as  long  as  he  should  re- 
main an  exile  from  his  own  people,  he  accepted 
their  invitation.  And,  accordingly,  in  the  month 
of  May,  of  that  year,  he  and  his  family  were 
removL(l  from  Danhury,  at  the  expense  of  the 


Revoluti07iary  War.  1227 

^sDngreg-ation  of  Laniinyton,  and  put  in  posses- 
sion of  their  parsonage  tjouse,  which  he  contuiu- 
ed  to  occupy  uiitil  the  autumn  of  1780. 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  the 
Rev.  Enocli  hurt,  the  present  pastor  of  the 
church  of  Lamington,  presents  a  view  of  the 
Doctor's  ministry  thei'e,  which,  though  brief, 
w  ill  be  found  comprehensive  and  satisfactory. 

**  The  reg'ular  pastor  of  this  church,  the  Rev. 
"  Jeremiah  Halsey,  died  in  October,  1780,  aiter 
"  a  ministry  in  this  place  of  about  ten  years. 
"  In  iMarch,  1781,  the  Rev.  Doctor  Mason,  who 
"  had  probably  left  the  city  of  JS en-York  about 
"  the  time  that  Doctor  Rodgers  did,  came  to 
"  Lamington,  occupied  the  parsonage  house,  and 
"  preached  occasionally  as  a  supply.  Some 
"  months  afterwards,  the  congregation,  hearing' 
"  that  Doctor  liodgers  was  at  Danbury,  in  Con- 
"  necticut,  had  a  meeting  for  the  purpose  of 
"  giving  him  an  invitation  to  take  the  pastoral 
"  charge  of  them,  during  his  absence  from  the 
"  city.  The  result  of  this  meeting  was  a  unani- 
"  mous  request  for  that  purpose.  This  request 
"  the  Doctor  complied  with  ;  and  in  the  month 
"  of  May,  1782,  his  family  was  removed  by  the 


228  Revolutionary  War, 

congregation  to  Lamington,  and  put  in  pos- 
session of  the  parsonage,  which  he  occupied 
during  his  stay  among  them.  He  continued 
"  from  that  time  until  his  return  to  Ne7V-  j  ork, 
"  to  discharge  regularly  all  the  duties  of  a  pas- 
**  tor  to  this  church,  though  without  the  forms 
"  of  what  we  denominate  a  regular  call,  or  in- 
"  stallation 

^*  The  Doctor's  ministry  here,  although  attend- 
"  ed  with  no  more  than  ordinary  success,  was 
yet  pei^formed  faithfully,  zealously,  and  with  a 
great  degree  of  plainness  of  speech.  On  this 
subject  he  often  remarked,  that  he  felt  himself 
"  bound  to  adapt  his  instructions  to  the  very 
"  meanest  capacity  of  his  hearers ;  so  that  none 
"  might  remain  unbenefited  by  his  labours. 
"  His  zeal  for  the  visible  honour  and  word  of 
"  his  divine  Master,  made  him  jealous  of  what- 
"  ever  appeared  like  disrespect  toward  the  or- 
"  dinances  of  the  Gospel.  Something  of  this 
will  appear  from  the  following  circumstance. 
It  was,  at  that  day,  very  common  here,  to  see 
individuals  rise  from  their  seats  during  the 
"  course  of  the  sermon,  and  almost  as  soon  as  ris- 
"  en,  turning  their  backs  toward  the  speaker.  This 
"  practice  appeared  to  him  so  much  like  visible 


i6 
66 


Revolutionary  War.  229 

**  disrespect  to  the  word  of  God,  that  he  viewed 
it  with  indignation,  and  ceased  not  to  repro- 
bate it  publicly  in  the  strongest  terms,  until 
he  had  entirely  abolished  the  practice. 


66 


66 
66 
66 


"  He  manifested  continually,  that  it  was  the 
**  desire  and  joy  of  his  heart  to  see  Zion  prosper. 
"  Of  this  there  were  many  proofs  during-  his  re- 
"  sidence  in  Lamington.  One  example  shall 
"  suffice.  Hearing,  while  here,  of  a  revival  of 
religion  at  Redstone,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  that 
the  inhabitants  of  that  district  of  country  were 
but  partially  supplied  with  copies  of  the  Scrip- 
"  tares,  he  opened  a  subscription  in  the  congre- 
"  gation,  and  obtained  a  considerable  sum,  with 
**  which  he  purchased  Bibles,  and  sent  them 
"  thither. 

"  He  made  it  his  business,  while  here,  to  visit 
"  the  schools  in  the  congregation,  to  examine 
"  and  catechise  the  children,  and  to  do  every 
"  thing  in  his  power  for  their  encouragement 
"  and  religious  instruction. 

'^  On  the  whole,  although  Dr.  Rodgers'  minis- 
"  try  at  Laminyton,  was  not  attended  with  any 


230  Revolutionary  War, 

"  remarkable  power,  or  signal  success,  at  the 
"  time;  ^jei  there  is  an  abundant  reason  to  be- 
"  lieve  that  it  was  far  from  being*  in  vain ;  that 
"  he  obtained  here  some  seals  of  his  minis- 
^'  try,  which  will  be  crowns  of  his  rejoicing  in 
"  the  day  of  the  Lord ;  and  that  the  precious 
"  seed  of  the  w^ord,  which  he  here  scattered,  with 
"  a  diligent  and  skilful  hand,  has  since  sprung^ 
"  up,  and  borne  fruit  to  everlasting  life." 

In  a  short  time  after  the  definitive  treaty  of 
peace  was  signed,  the  disbanding  of  the  Ameri- 
can armies  commenced.  About  this  time  Dr. 
Rodyers,  whose  mind  was  ever  busily  employed 
in  fojming  plans  of  piety  and  benevolence,  sug- 
gested to  some  leading  persons  the  propriety  of 
presenting  to  each  soldier,  on  retiring  from  ser- 
vice, a  Bble.  The  war  had,  of  course,  entirely 
suspended  the  importation  of  Bibles  from  Great 
Britain;  and  they  had  become,  prior  to  the  year 
1/81,  extremely  scarce  in  this  country.  Under 
these  circumstances,  it  was  found,  as  might  na- 
turally have  been  expected,  that  the  needy  sol- 
diery were  almost  wholly  destitute  of  copies  of 
the  Scriptures.  In  the  year  last  mentioned,  an 
enterprising  printer  and  bookseller  of  Fhiladel- 


Revolutionary  War.  251 

phia,*  printed  a  large  edition  of  the  Bible.     This 
event,  however,  though  it  removed  the  difficulty 
arising  from  the  scarcity  of  copies  of  the  sacred 
volume,  by  no  means  supplied  the  army.     Dr. 
Rodgers  determined  to  interest  himself,  and  to 
take  measures  for  prevailing  with  others  to  inter- 
est themselves,  in  furnishing  the  defenders  of  their 
country   with   so   valuable   a  present.     Among 
those   whom  he  endeavoured   to  eno^agfe  in  this 
pious  design,  was  the  Commander  in   Chief,  to 
Avhom  he  addressed  a  letter,  cono^ratulatino-  him 
on  the  restoration   of  peace,  and  proposing  the 
exertion  of  his   influence  for  the  attainment  of 
this  desirable  end.     The  following-  answer  to  the 
Doctor's  letter,  while  it  serves  to  assign  one  of 
the  reasons  why  his  pious  plan  did  not  succeed, 
will   also   furnish  another  testimony  to  the   uni- 
form dignity  and  greatness  of  the  wonderful  Man 
by  whom  it  was  written. 


*  Mr.  Robert  Aitkin.  His  duodecimo  Bible,  printed  in 
1781,  was  the  Jirst  Bible,  in  the  English  language,  ever 
printed  in  jYorth  America.  Five  years  before,  (1776,)  Mr. 
Christotiher  Soiuer  had  printed,  at  Gerrnantown^  near  Phi- 
ladelphia^ a  quarto  edition  of  the  Bible,  in  German  ;  and" 
more  than  a  hundred  years  before,  (1664,)  the  Kev.  Johri 
Eliot  had  printed,  at  Cambridge^  in  Massachusetts^  an  edi- 
tion of  the  Bible  in  the  language  of  the  ^Yatick  Indians. 


232  Revolutionary  War. 

"  Heaa  Quarters ^  11th  June,  1783. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  accept,   with  much  pleasure,  your  kind 

"  congratulations  on  the  happy  event  of  Peace, 

"  with  the  establishment  of  our  Liberties  and  In- 

"  dependence. 

**  Glorious  indeed  has  been  our  contest :  glo- 
"  rious,  if  we  consider  the  prize  for  which  we 
"  have  contended,  and  glorious  in  its  issue.  But 
"  in  the  midst  of  our  joys,  I  hope  we  shall  not  for- 
"  get,  that  to  Divine  Providence  is  to  be  ascribed 
"  the  glory  and  the  praise. 

# 

"  Your  proposition  respecting  Mr.  Aitkin  s 
Bible,  would  have  been  particularly  noticed  by 
me,  had  it  been  suggested  in  season.  But  the 
"  late  resolution  of  Congress  for  discharging 
"  part  of  the  army  taking  off  near  two  thirds  of 
"  our  numbers,  it  is  now  too  late  to  make  the  at- 
tempt. It  would  have  pleased  me  well,  if 
Congress  had  been  pleased  to  make  such  an 
important  present  to  the  brave  fellows  who 
have  done  so  much  for  the  security  of  their 
country's  rights  and  establishment. 

"  I  hope  it  will  not  be  long  before  you  will  be 


6( 
U 

it 
(( 


Revohdionary  War,  233 

**  able  to  go  quietly  to  New-York,     Some  pa- 
"  tience,  however,  will  yet  be  necessary.     But 
"  patience  is  a  noble  virtue,  and,  when  rightly 
"  exercised,  does  not  fail  of  its  reward." 
"  With  much  regard  and  esteem, 
"I  am,  dear  Doctor, 
"  Your  most  obedient  servant, 

"  Go.  Washington." 

"  P.  S.  Be  so  good  as  to  inform  me  whether 
^*  Mrs.  Thompson  is  living  with  you,  or  gone  in- 
"  to  New-  York  ?  Before  I  retire  from  service,  it 
"  is  my  wish  to  render  her  what  is  owing  to 

"  Rev.  Doctor  Rodgers.  "  G.  W." 

While  Doctor  Rodgers  was  thus  a  sojourner, 
and  variously,  but  always  usefully,  employed, 
during  his  exile  from  New-York,  it  may  be  pro- 
per to  inquire,  what  was  going  on,  in  the  mean 
time,  in  that  city,  in  relation  to  his  affairs,  and 

*  This  postscript,  though  irrelative  to  the  main  subjects 
of  the  letter,  is  retiiined,  not  only  as  another  example  of 
the  scrupulous  justice  of  the  illustrious  Writer ;  but  also 
to  show  that  he  had  a  mind  which,  while  it  grasped  ^^rea^ 
objects,  was  capable  of  attending  to  mimite  details, 

30 


234  Revolvlionary  War, 

the  interests  of  the  church  with  which  he  was 
connected. 

The  British  armies,  in  the  course  of  the  revo- 
lutionary contest,  whenever  they  had  an  oppor- 
tunity, manifested  a  pecuUar  hostility  to  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  This  hostility,  prompted  part- 
ly by  sectarian  ran  con  r,  and  partly  by  the  consi- 
deration, that  the  Presbyterians  were  generally 
favourable  to  the  American  cause,  was  display- 
ed by  many  acts  of  violence  and  indignity  of 
the  most  wanton  kind*.  The  Presbyterian 
churches  in  New^York,  were  the  objects  of  spe- 

*  The  following  is  extracted  from  a  note  in  a  Sermon, 
delivered  and  published  by  Dr.  Bodgers,  entitled,  ji  Ser- 
mon preached  in  JsfenV'York^  Dec.  11,  1783,  apfiointed  by 
Congress^  as  a  day  of  fiublic  Thanksgiving  throughout  the 
United  States^  p.  26.  "  It  is  much  to  be  lamented,  that 
"  the  troops  of  a  nation  that  has  been  considered  as  one  of 
"  the  bulwarks  of  the  reformation,  should  act  as  if  they  had 
"  waged  war  with  the  God  whom  Christians  adore.  They 
"  have,  in  the  course  of  this  war,  utterly  destroyed  more 
"  than  fifty  places  of  public  worship,  in  these  states.  Most 
"  of  these  they  burnt,  others  they  levelled  with  the  ground, 
"  and  in  some  places  left  not  a  vestige  of  their  former  si- 
"  tuation  ;  while  they  have  wantonly  defaced,  or  rather  de- 
"  stroyed  others,  by  converting  them  into  barracks,  jails, 
"  hospitals,  riding  schools,  Sec.     Boston^  JSfetDport,  Phila- 


Revolutionary  War,  235 

cial  vengeance.  The  church  in  Wall-street  was 
immediately  seized,  and  converted  into  Bar- 
racks ;  and  that  in  Beekmanstreet  into  an  Hospi- 
tal. It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add,  that  in  pre- 
paring" them  for  these  purposes  respectively,  they 
were  not  only  defaced,  but  almost  entirely  strip- 
ped of  their  appropriate  interior ;  and  that  they 
were  left  in  a  most  ruinous  condition.  JNor  was 
this  all.  The  Parsonage-house,  belonging  to  the 
congregation,  was,  during  the  same  period,  de- 
stroyed. It  fell  a  prey  to  the  dreadful  fire,  which 
consumed  so  large  a  portion  of  the  city,  in  a  few 

"  deljihia,  and  Charleston^  all  furnished  melancholy  inslan- 
"  ces  of  this  prostitution,  and  abuse  of  the  houses  of  God : 
"  and  of  the  nineteen  places  of  public  worship  in  this  city, 
"  when  the  war  bega^j,  there  were  but  nine  fit  for  use, 
"  when  the  British  troops  left  it.  It  is  true,  Trinity  church, 
"  and  the  old  Lutheran,  were  destroyed  by  the  fire,  that 
*^  laid  waste  so  great  a  part  of  the  city,  a  few  nights  after 
"  the  enemy  took  possession  of  it;  and  therefore  they  are 
"  not  charged  with  designedly  burning  them,  though  they 
"  were  the  occasion  of  it ;  for  there  can  be  no  doubt,  after 
"  all  that  malice  has  said  to  the  contrary,  but  th».  fire  was 
"  occasioned  by  the  carelessness  of  their  people,  and  they 
"  prevented  its  more  speedy  extinguishment.  But  the 
"  ruinous  situation  in  whicn  they  left  two  of  the  Low 
"  Dutch  Reformed  churches,  the  three  Presbyterian 
*'  churches,  the  French  Protestant  church,  the  Anabap- 
"  tist  church,  and  the  friends'  new  meeting  house,  was  the 


236  Revolutionary  War, 

weeks  after  the  British  troops  took  possession  of 
it,  in  the  autumn  of  1776. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1783,  when  it  be- 
came known  that  the  preliminary  articles  of 
peace  with  Great- Britain  had  been  signed,  an 
intercourse  began  to  take  place  between  the  city 
of  New^Yorky  and  the  adjacent  country.  On  the 
commencement  of  this  intercourse,  many  of  the 
old  inhabitants  of  the  city  returned  from  their  ex- 

"  effect  of  design,  and  strongly  marks  their  enmity  to  those 
"  societies." 

Concerning  the  Middle  Dutch  Church,  in  Missau-streef, 
which  in  the  beginning  of  the  war,  was  used  by  the  British 
garrison  as  a  Prison,  and  afterwards  turned  into  a  Riding' 
School,  the  venerable  Dr.  Livingston  thus  expresses  him- 
self in  a  sermon,  delivered  July  4,  1790,  when  it  was  for 
the  first  time  opened  for  public  worship,  after  being  re- 
paired :  "  1  dare  not  speak  of  the  wanton  cruelty  of  those 
"  who  destroyed  this  temple,  nor  repeat  the  various  indig- 
"  nities  whieh  have  been  perpetrated.  It  would  be  easy 
"  to  mention  facts  which  would  chill  your  blood  !  A  recol- 
"  lection  of  the  groans  of  dying  prisoners,  which  pierced 
"  this  ceiling ;  or  the  sacrilegious  sports  and  rough  feats 
"  of  horsemanship  exhibited  within  these  walls,  might 
«  raise  sentiments  in  your  minds  that  would,  perhaps,  not 
«  harmonize  with  those  religious  affections,  which  I  wish, 
"  at  present,  to  promote,  and  always  to  cherish." 


Revolutionary  War,  237 

ile ;  and  among"  these  were  some  of  the  members 
of  the  Presbvterian  churches.  In  the  course  of 
the  ensumg  summer  a  few  more  returned.  But 
the  larger  portion  remained  in  their  various  pla- 
ces of  retirement  until  the  evacuation  of  the  city 
by  the  British  troops,  which  took  place  on  the 
2oth  of  November,  1783.  On  the  26th,  the  day 
after  the  evacuation,  Dr.  Rodger s  returned  with 
his  family  to  the  city  ',  and  in  a  short  time  after- 
wards, the  great  body  of  the  exiles  were  restor- 
ed to  their  former  habitations. 

In  taking  a  retrospect  of  the  conduct  and 
character  of  Dr.  Rodgers,  with  reference  to  the 
revolutionary  war,  it  will  be  nothing'  more  than 
justice  to  his  memory,  and  may  not  be  unpro- 
fitable to  others,  to  make  two  or  three  general 
remarks. 

The  first  is,  that,  although  constitutionally,  as 
well  as  by  habit,  a  prudent  and  cautious  man, 
and  perhaps  sometimes  so  to  an  extreme  \  yet 
when  the  path  of  duty  became  perfectly  plain, 
he  pursued  it  with  fearless  intrepidity.  This 
was  the  case  with  respect  to  the  American  con- 
test. The  decision  with  which  he  acted  in  that 
contest,  was  bevond  what  was  usual  with  him. 


238  Revolutionary  War* 

A  gentleman  of  great  political  eminence  in  the 
United  States*,  who  was  much  with  him,  and  had 
the  best  opportunity  of  observing  his  conduct,  dur- 
ing that  interesting  period  ;  and  who  is  also  of  a 
different  religious  denomination,  expresses  him- 
self, in  a  communication  on  the  subject,  in  the  fol- 
lowing respectfnl  terms.  "  The  late  Dr.  Rodgers 
"  appeared  to  me  a  christian  and  a  gentleman. 
"  Believing  the  opposition  oi  America  to  be  right, 
"  he  adhered  to  her  cause ;  and  was  a  good 
"  whig,  because  he  was  a  good  christian.  Be- 
"  ing  chaplain  to  the  Convention,  he  followed 
"  that  body  from  place  to  place,  with  much  per- 
"  sonal  inconvenience,  and  I  believe,  too,  at  a 
"  considerable  pecuniary  sacrifice.'* 

A  second  remark  is,  that,  while  he  was  a  firm, 
and  even  an  ardent  whig,  yet  he  did  not  forget 
that  he  was  a  Minister  of  Jesus  Christ ;  and  never 
failed  to  make  the  latter  his  prominent  charac- 
ter. When  a  Christian  minister  ventures  much 
into  the  society  of  political  men,  and  suffers  his 
attention  to  be  habitually  occupied  with  their 
schemes  and  measures ;  and  especially  when  he 
undertakes,  in  his  public  prayers  and  sermons,  to 
expatiate  freely  on  the  political  events  of  the  day, 

*  The  Hon.  Gouverneur  Morris^  Esq. 


Hevolutionary  War*  239 

he  attempts  a  task  as  difficult  as  it  is  delicate. 
Nay,  it  may  not  be  going  too  far  to  say,  that  he 
undertakes  a  task  in  which  his  ministerial  feel- 
ings and  character  will  seldom  wholly  escape  in- 
jury. The  truth  of  this  remark,  if  the  writer  is 
not  greatly  deceived,  was  often  exemplified  du- 
ring the  revolutionary  war.  The  conduct  of 
many  of  the  clergy,  and  especially  of  those  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  in  the  course  of  that  strug- 
gle, was  indeed  nobly  patriotic,  and  eminently 
useful.  Yet  it  may  be  seriously  doubted,  whe- 
ther some  of  them,  in  their  zeal,  did  not,  now  and 
then,  in  their  public  ministrations,  as  well  as  in 
their  private  intercourse,  overstep  the  bounds  of 
propriety ;  and  appear  more  like  politicians, 
pleading  an  earthly  cause,  than  servants  of  the 
meek  and  benevolent  Jesus,  referring  every  thing 
to  his  wise  and  holy  government,  and  breathing 
peace  on  earth  and  good-7vill  toward  men*.      It 

*  It  has  been  said,  and  doubtless  with  truth,  that  while 
many  pious  ministers,  and  other  christians  in  America^ 
during  the  revolutionary  war,  were  praying,  in  public  and 
in  private,  that  the  councils  of  Great-Britain  might  be 
overthrown ;  that  defeat  and  destruction  might  attend 
their  military  and  naval  armaments ;  and  that  victory^  in 
every  quarter,  might  crown  our  arms  ;  thousands  of  pious 
persons,  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic^  were  praying,  in 


240  Revolutionary  War, 

•would,  perhaps,  be  extravagant  praise  to  say,  that 
Dr.  Rodgers,  amidst  the  contagion  of  tlje  times, 
was,  in  this  respect,  wholly  free  from  fault.  But  he 
was  certainly  much  more  free  from  the  fault  in 
question,  than  most  of  those  active  clergymen  of 
the  day,  who  took  the  same  side,  and  possessed 
as  much  ardour  of  mind,  as  himself.  Wherever 
he  went,  he  set  a  noble  example  of  devotedness 
to  the  ministry  of  reconciliation.  Whether  he 
addressed  Conventions,  or  Legislatures,  brigades 
of  soldiers,  or  christian  churches,  the  peculiar  and 
precious  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  were  not  only 
the  constant,   but  the   leading  subjects   of  dis- 

the  same  language,  against  J7nericay  and  in  favour  of  Bri- 
tish oppressions.  Is  it  possible  to  suppose  that  such  op- 
posite petitions,  on  the  same  subject,  were  equally  accept- 
able to  Him  who  hears  firayer  ?  It  is  not  possible.  But  it 
may  be  asked,  where  is  the  remedy  for  such  occurrences  I 
The  remedy  lies  in  ministers  and  others,  when  they  ad- 
dress the  throne  of  grace,  being  less  of  fioliticians^  and 
more  of  chrutians.  It  is  plain  that,  if  men  were  less  prone 
to  firescribe  to  the  Most  High  in  prayer,  and  more  ready 
to  adopt  those  humble,  submissive^  andjilial  forms  of  peti- 
tion, of  which  the  Sacred  Volume  gives  so  many  noble  ex- 
amples, real  christians,  in  different  countries,  even  in  the 
midst  of  war,  might  meet  at  tlie  throne  of  grace,  as  on 
common  territory,  and  unite  in  precisely  the  same  re- 
quests.    Some  have  been  inconsiderate  enough  to  allege, 


Revolutionary  War.  241 

course.  And  the  tendency  of  all  his  preaching, 
was  to  lead  the  minds  of  his  hearers  from  this 
scene  of  conflict  and  change,  of  sin  and  sorrow, 
to  a  more  holy  and  happy  world. 

Finally  ;  Dr.  Hodgers^  amidst  all  the  decision 
with  which  he  thought,  and  the  firmness  with 
which  he  acted,  during  the  struggle  for  Ameri- 
can Independence,  was  distuiguished  for  his  li- 
berahty  toward  those,  who  adopted  different 
opinions,  and  took  a  different  course.  He  wa» 
remarkably  free  from  the  bitterness  of  party  ani- 

that  a  remedy  for  all  this  difficulty  may  be  found,  so  far  as 
firayers  are  concerned,  in  the  adoption  of  stated  forms  of 
prayer.  But  if  such  persons  had  an  opportunity  of  perus- 
ing a  few  of  the  "  forms"  and  "  offices,"  prepared  "  by  au- 
"  thority,"  to  be  used  on  Fast  and  Thanksgiving  Adcys^  and  in 
"  times  of  war,"  in  countries  where  liturgies  are  established, 
they  would  frequently  find  much  of  their  contents  quite  as 
exceptionable,  both  in  spirit  and  expression,  as  what  some- 
times falls  from  the  lips  in  extemporaneous  fervour.  With 
this  difference,  that  in  the  one  case,  the  evil  is  confined  to  its 
immediate  authors ;  while  in  the  other,  it  is  imfiosed  on  thous- 
ands, and ybrcec?  into  every  reading-desk  into  which  the  form 
is  introduced.  1  here  is  no  remedy  to  be  hoped  for  from 
this  quarter.  It  is  to  be  found  in  the  prevalence  among 
ministers  of  the  Gospel,  of  piety,  good  sense,  sound  judg- 
ment, and  minds  deeply  imbued  with  the  language  and 
the  spirit  of  the  Holy  bcriptures. 

31 


^42  Revoluiionary  War, 

mosity,  and  ever  ready  to  make  allowance  for 
the  diversity  of  views  and  of  conduct,  which  he 
had  occasion  to  observe  in  others.  Those  who 
are  acquainted  with  the  history  of  his  private 
friendships,  and  of  his  affectionate  correspond- 
ence, after  the  melarjcholy  disruption  of  social 
bonds  which  the  revolution,  in  so  many  cases, 
produced,  cannot  doubt  that  "  the  law  of  kind- 
*^  ness"  was  in  his  heart,  as  well  as  upon  his  lips. 
The  same  gentleman  who  was  last  adduced  as  a 
witness  of  the  Doctor's  patriotism*,  thus  speaks, 
in  the  same  communication,  on  this  part  of  his 
character:  "  In  his  opinion  of  others,  he  showed 
"  the  liberality  of  a  gentleman.  Not  soured  by 
"  that  intolerant  spirit  which  assails,  and  some- 
"  times  subdues,  clerical  men  of  great  talents  and 
^'  worth,  he  had  not  only  the  faith,  and  the  hope, 
"  but  also  the  charity  of  a  christian." 

*  Mr.  Morris. 


CHAP.  VII. 


rrbr  wyi  '^i^i<  S51  h^y  kS  ^hby^i 

Psalm  i.  3. 


Fro7n    the    Revolutionary     War,    till  his    hist 

Illness, 

The  situation  in  which  the  subject  of  these  me- 
moirs, and  the  remains  of  his  flock,  found  them- 
selves, on  returning-  from  their  exile,  may  be  more 
easily  imagined  than  described.     Their  numbers 
greatly  reduced  by  death,  and  by  permanent  re- 
movals to  the  country;  the  pecuniary  resources  of 
all  of  them  impaired,  and  of  many  of  them  exhaust- 
ed ;   both  their  houses  of  worship  in  a  state  little 
short  of  complete  ruin;  their  parsonage  burnt;  and 
a  considerable  debt  accumulated  in  consequence 
of  their  long  exclusion  from  the  city, — it  may  be 
supposed  that  nothing  but  christian  faith  could 
have  preserved  them  from  total  discouragement. 
This  faith  they  were  enabled,  in  some  degree,  to 
exercise.     They  trusted  in  the  faithfulness  of  the 
great  Head  of  the  church ;  in  his  name  they  lift- 


244  Ne7V'YorL 

ed  up  their  banner ;  and  He  did  not  either  for- 
sake them,  or  disappoint  their  hopes. 

The  first  and  most  serious  difficulty  which 
presented  itself,  was  the  want  of  a  place  of  wor- 
ship, A  number  of  months,  it  was  perceived, 
must  necessarily  intervene,  before  either  of  their 
churches  could  be  prepared  for  the  reception  of 
a  worshipping-  assembly.  In  this  extremity,  the 
vestry  of  Trinity  church,  unsolicited,  and  with  a 
politeness  which  did  them  honour,  made  an  offer 
of  St,  Georges  and  St,  PauVs  churches,  to  be 
used  by  the  congregation  alternately,  until  one 
of  their  own  churches  could  be  repaired.  This 
ofier  was  gratefully  accepted ;  and  from  Novem- 
ber 1783,  until  the  following  June,  the  remains 
of  the  congregation  alternately  worshipped,  in 
conformity  with  a  settled  arrangement,  in  the 
spacious  edifices  just  mentioned. 

In  a  few  days  after  Doctor  Rodgers  re-com- 
menced his  ministration  in  JSeyv-York^ihe  day 
which  had  been  recommended  by  Congress  to  be 
observed  throughout  the  United  States,  as  a  day 
of  Thanksgiving  and  Prayer,  arrived.  On  this 
occasion  he  delivered  a  sermon  on  Psalm  126.  3. 
which  was  afterwards  published,  under  the  fol- 


New-York,  246 

lowing'  title,  *^  The  Divine  Goodness  displayed 
"  in  the  American  Revolution* .^'  This  was  the 
second  publication  he  ever  madef ;  and  it  is  va- 
luable, not  only  on  the  account  of  the  pious  and 
judicious  discussion  of  its  subject,  in  a  religious 
view,  but  also  on  account  of  the  historical  mat- 
ter, with  which  the  body  of  the  discourse  and  the 
notes  are  enriched. 

It  being  found  that  the  Brick  church,  in  Beek- 
man-street,  had  suffered  less  from  the  ravaofes  of 
the  enemy,  and  could  be  repaired  more  speedily, 
and  at  much  less  expense,  than  tlie  church  in 
Wall-street,  it  was  determined. to  attempt  the  re- 
storation of  the  former  without  delay.  The 
work  was  immediately  commenced,  and  com- 
pleted in  about  six  months,  at  an  expense  of  be- 
tween three  and  four  thousand   dollars.     It  was 

*  This  sermon  was  delivered  December  llth,  1783,  in 
St.  George* s  Chapel. 

t  The  Jirst  was  a  sermon  under  the  following  title, 
"  Holiness  the  nature  and  design  of  the  Gosfiel  of  Christ  : 
"  A  Sermon  preached  at  Stockbridge,  June  24,  1779,  6e- 
*^fore  the  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons^  of  Berk- 
"  shire  county^  state  of  Massachusetts  j  and  published  by 
"  their  request.**  This  sermon  was  preached  and  pub- 
lished during  the  Doctor's  residence  at  Amenia, 


246  Nerv-Yorh. 

first  opened  for  public  worship,  after  bein^  re- 
paired, on  the  27th  of  June,  1784,  when  the  Doc- 
tor delivered  a  sermon  on  Psalm  122.  1.  I  was 
glad  when  they  said  unto  me,  Let  us  go  into  the 
house  of  the  Lord, 

As  long"  as  the  congregation  continued  to 
meet  in  churches  belonging  to  another  denomi- 
nation, it  was  not  easy  to  draw  the  line  between 
stated  and  occasional  worshippers.  The  open- 
ing of  the  Brick  church  furnished  the  first  oppor- 
tunity of  drawing  this  line,  and  of  determining 
the  real  strength  of  the  congregation.  The  re- 
sult was  more  favourable  than  could  have  been 
expected.  It  soon  became  apparent  that  the  de- 
mand for  pews  could  not  be  supplied,  and  that 
another  church  was  indispensable  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  people.  It  was  resolved,  there- 
fore, as  soon  as  the  necessary  funds  could  be  pro- 
cured, to  undertake  the  repairing  of  the  church 
in  Wall-street. 

The  reverend  Mr.  Treat  did  not  return  to  the 
city  after  the  close  of  the  war.  Some  consider- 
ations of  a  personal  nature  induced  him  to  remain 
in  the  country  until  the  summer  of  the  year  1784, 
when,  on  the  first  day  of  July,  the  congregation 


Nerv-YorJc.  247 

assembled,  and  among  other  resolutions,  unani- 
mously adopted  the  following — "  Resolved,  that 
"  this  congregation  can  support  but  one  minis- 
"  ter. — Resolved,  that  the  reverend  Doctor 
"  Rodders  be  that  minister. — Resolved,  that  a 
"  committee  be  appointed  to  apply  to  the  mode- 
"  rator  of  the  presbytery,  and  request  him  to  call 
"  a  meeting  of  that  body  as  soon  as  convenient, 
"  that  we  may  apply,  in  a  regular  manner,  for  a 
"  liberation  of  this  congregation  from  the  rever- 
"  end  Mr.  Treat,  as  one  of  our  ministers."  This 
application  to  the  presbytery  was  regularly  pro- 
secuted, and  on  the  twentieth  day  of  October 
following,  at  Elizabeth-Torin,  the  pastoral  rela- 
tion between  Mr.  Treat  and  the  congregation 
o{  New-York  was  dissolved. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1784,  Dr.  RodgerSf 
and  such  of  the  elders  and  deacDns  as  had  re- 
turned from  exile,  presented  a  petition  to  the 
Corporation  of  the  city,  praying  a  remission  of 
the  arrears  of  rent,  which  had  accumulated  dur- 
ing the  war,  on  the  lot  upon  which  the  Brick 
church  was  erected ;  and  also  requesting  a  re- 
duction of  the  annual  rent  of  the  said  lot.  The 
prayer  of  the  petition,  with  respect  to  both  these 
points,  was  granted.     The  back  rents,  amount- 


it 


248  New-York. 

ing-  to  between  seven  and  eight  hundred  dollars, 
were  all  remitted ',  and  the  annual  rent  was  re- 
duced from  one  hundred  dollars,  to  nearly  half 
that  sum*. 

The  Legislature  of  the  State,  in  their  first  ses- 
sion after  the  conclusion  of  peace,  passed  an  act, 
entitled,  **  An  Act  to  enable  all  tLe  religious 
"  denominations  in  this  state  to  appomt  Trustees, 
"  who  shall  be  a  body  corporate,  for  the  purpose 
of  taking  care  of  the  temporalities  of  their  res- 
pective congregations,  and  for  other  purposes 
"  therein  mentioned."  This  act,  which  is  dated 
April  6th,  1784,  at  once  afforded  relief  from  all 
the  vexations  and  injuries  which  had  been  so  long 
sustained,  for  want  of  a  charter,  under  the  op- 
pressions of  the  provincial  government.  In  the 
course  of  the  following  month,  the  Presbyterian 
congregation  met,  and  became  a  body  corporate, 
agreeably  to  the  provisions  of  the  act,  under  the 
style  of  "  The  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
"  City  of  NeiV'Yorky  The  first  Trustees  were, 
Peter  Van  Brugh  Livingston,  Joseph  Hallet, 
William  Neilson,  Daniel  3Ic  Cormick,  Daniel 
Phoenix,     Eleazer    Miller,     Samuel    Broome, 

*  Fifty-three  dollars,  and  twelve  and  an  half  rer^**: 


New-York.  249 

Archibald  Currie,  and  John  Mc  Kesson.  Dr. 
Eodgers,  and  the  other  surviving  gentlemen,  to 
Avhom  the  Brick  church,  and  the  lot  on  which  it 
stands,  had  been  conveyed,  in  trust,  re-conveyed 
them  to  this  corporation,  soon  after  it  was  con- 
stituted. 

The  numerous  applications  for  pews,  men- 
tioned in  a  former  page,  induced  the  newly- 
elected  Trustees,  with  the  advice  of  the  other 
officers  and  members  of  the  congregation,  to 
hasten  the  repairing  of  the  Wall-street  church. 
The  work  was  accordingly  commenced  in  the 
autumn  of  1784,  and  completed,  at  an  expense 
of  between  six  and  seven  thousand  dollars,  in 
the  month  of  June  following*.  On  the  nine- 
teenth day  of  that  month,  it  was  opened  for 
public  worship,  and  a  sermon  preached  by  Dr. 
Rodger s,  from  Psalm  Ixxxiv.  1,  2.  The 
pews  on  the  ground  floor  were  all  immediately 
taken,  and  a  number  of  those  in  the  gallery. 

The  expense  of  repairing  these  churches  w^as 

*  The  whole  of  the  interior  of  the  IVall-street  church 
had  been  destroyed  during  the  war.  Nothing  but  the 
walls  and  the  roof,  or  rather  the  principal  timbers  of  the 
roof,  were  left. 

32 


2dO  New-York. 

defrayed  by  subscription.  And  as  this  subscrip- 
tion was  taken  up  at  a  period  peculiarly  inauspi- 
cious for  raising  money,  a  more  than  common 
shaie  of  address,  patience,  and  perseverance,  was 
necessary  for  prosecuting*  it  with  success.  Dr. 
Hodgers,  as  usual,  shrunk  from  no  task  that 
was  assigned  him.  He  went  from  door  to  door, 
for  a  number  of  weeks,  begging  for  the  churchy 
and  chiefly  to  his  exeitions,  under  God,  may  the^ 
speedy  and  happy  accomplishment  of  the  under- 
taking be  ascribed. 

Toward  the  close  of  the  year  1784,  Mr.  James 
Wilson,  a  licensed  candidate  for  the  gospel  mi- 
nistry, arrived  in  New-York  from  Scotland,  It 
was  perceived  that  when  the  Wall-street  church, 
which  was  then  repairing,  should  be  completed, 
a  second  minister  would  be  absolutely  necessary 
for  the  maintenance  of  regular  service  in  both 
churches.  Mr.  Wilson  having  preached  for  se- 
veral months,  on  probation,  to  the  acceptance  of 
the  people,  it  was  determined  to  call  him  to  be 
one  of  their  pastors.  This  was  done,  unanimous- 
ly, on  the  twenty-ninth  day  of  April,  1785.  Mr. 
Wilson  accepted  the  call,  and  was  ordained  to 
the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  and  installed 
collegiate  pastor,  with  Dr.  Rodger s,  of  the  United 


New-York.  251 

churches  of  New-Yorky  on  the  tenth  day  of  Au- 
gust following. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
the  Legislature  of  New-York  passed  an  act,  es- 
tablishing a  board,  styled,  "  The  Regents  of  the 
"  University  of  New-York,^'  The  powers  and 
duties  of  this  board  are  highly  important.  To 
them  it  belongs  to  grant  charters  of  incorpora- 
tion to  all  seminaries  of  learning ;  to  visit  and  in- 
spect colleges  and  other  seminaries ;  and  in  ge- 
neral, to  watch  over  the  interests  of  literature 
throughout  the  state.  Of  this  University  Doctor 
Rodger's  was  chosen  Vice- Chancellor,  which  place 
he  continued  to  occupy  until  his  death. 

In  the  month  of  May,  in  the  year  1785,  the 
Synod  of  Ne7V-York  and  Philadelphia,  then  the 
supreme  judicatory  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in 
the  United  States,  began  to  take  those  steps  for 
revising  the  public  standards  of  the  church,  which 
issued  in  their  adoption  and  estabhshment  on  the 
present  plan.  Every  step  in  this  system  of  mea- 
sures, affords  evidence  of  the  respect  in  which  the 
subject  of  these  memoirs  was  held,  and  the  con- 
fidence reposed  in  his  wisdom  and  fidelity.  He 
was  a  member  of  almost  every  committee  ap- 


252  New-York, 

pointed  to  conduct  the  business.  On  the  23d  day 
of  [VI ay,  in  the  year  just  mentioned,  the  Synod 
bein^  convened  in  Philadelphia,  it  was  on  mo- 
tion resolved, — "  That  Dr.  Witherspoon,  Dr. 
**  Rodgers,  Dr.  Robert  Smith*,  Dr.  Patrick  Alii- 
"  S071,  Dr.  Samuel  S.  Smith,  Mr.  John  Woodhull, 
"  Mr.  Cooper  f,  Mr.  Latta^,  Dr.  Dujield,  and 
^'  Mr.  Matthew  Wilson,  be  a  committee  to  take 
"  into  consideration  the  constitution  of  the  church 
"  of  Scotland,  and  other  protestant  churches ; 
**  and  ag'reeably  to  the  general  principles  of  pres- 
"  byterian  government,  complete  a  system  of  ge- 

*  The  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Smithy  of  Pequea,  P ennsylvania, 
a  gentleman  of  respectable  talents  and  learning,  and  of 
eminent  piety.  His  most  important  publication  consists 
of  three  sermons  on  Faith,  in  the  fourth  volume  of  the 
American  Preacher.  He  died  about  twelve  years  before 
Dr.  Rodgers. 

t  The  Rev.  Robert  Coofier,  of  Shifiiiensburgh,  PennsyU 
vania,  afterwards  Doctor  of  Divinity.  Dr.  Coofier  had  a 
remarkably  strong,  sound  mind ;  and  though  late  in  ac- 
quiring an  education,  and  entering  the  ministry,  he  was  a 
divine  of  great  judiciousness,  piety,  and  worth. 

\  The  Rev.  James  Latta,  of  Chesnut  Level,  Pennsylva' 
nia,  afterwards  Doctor  of  Divinity.  Doctor  ia^^a,  for  ta- 
lents and  learning,  as  well  as  piety,  held  a  high  place 
among  the  clergy  of  his  day.  He  died  at  an  advanced  age, 
a  few  years  before  Dr.  Rodgers.  He  published  a  Dis- 
course on  Psalmody,  which  does  honour  to  his  memory. 


Ne7V-York.  263 

"  neral  rules  for  the  government  of  the  Synod, 
and  the  several  Presbyteries  under  their  inspec- 
tion, and  the  people  in  their  communion ;  and 

"  to  make  report  of  their  proceedings  herein  at 
the  next  meeting  of  synod." 


(6 


a 


The  same  afternoon,  an  overture  was  brought 
into  synod,  "  That,  for  the  better  management  of 
"  the  churches  under  our  care,  this  Synod  be  di- 
"  vided  into  three  synods ;  and  that  a  general 
"  Synod,  or  Assembly,  be  constituted  out  of  the 
"  whole."  The  consideration  of  this  overture 
was  postponed  till  the  next  year. 

On  the  17th  of  May,  1786,  on  resuming  the 
consideration  of  this  overture,  the  following  mo- 
tion was  introduced  into  the  synod,  and  carried  in 
the  affirmative,  viz.  "  Resolved,  that  this  Synod 
"  will  establish,  out  of  its  own  body,  three  or 
"  more  subordinate  synods,  out  of  which  shall 
"  be  composed  a  General  Assembly,  Synod,  or 
**  Council,  agreeably  to  a  system  hereafter  to  be 
"  adopted."  In  pursuance  of  this  resolution, 
the  Rev.  Doctors  Rodders,  Smith,  Ditffield^y  and 

*  The  Rev.  George  Duffield,  D.  D.  Pastor  of  the  church 
in  Pine-street^  Philadelphia.     This  gentleman  was  distin- 


254  NeW'Yorh. 

Allisorv^ ;  and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Latta,  Martin^ 
Matthew  Wilson,  Graham,  Houston,  James 
Finley,  and  Hall,  were  appointed  "  a  committee 
"  to  prepare  and  report  a  plan  for  the  division  of 
"  the  synod  into  three  or  more  synods." 

On  the  22d  day  of  May,  in  this  year,  the  com- 
mittee appointed  in  1785,  to  mature  a  system  of 
disciphne  and  government  for  the  church,  made 
their  report,  which  was  referred  to  another  com- 
mittee, consisting"  of  the  following  gentlemen, 
viz.  the  reverend  Doctors  Witherspoon,  Rodders, 

guished  for  the  fervour  of  his  piety,  his  intimate  acquaint- 
ance with  the  constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and 
his  excellent  powers  as  an  extemporary  preacher. 

*  The  Rev.  Patrick  Allison^  D.  D.  was  born  in  Lancas- 
ter county,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  year  1 740.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  College  of  Philadeljihia  ;  was  ordained  to 
the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  and  installed  Pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  in  Baltimore,  in  the  year  1762  ;  where 
he  remained  honoured  and  useful  until  his  death,  which 
took  place  in  1802,  in  the  62d  year  of  his  age.  Dr. 
Allison  undoubtedly  held  a  place  in  the  very  first  rank  of 
American  clergy.  He  shone  with  distinguished  lustre  in 
the  judicatories  of  the  church.  For  the  perspicuity,  the 
correctness,  the  sound  reasoning,  and  the  masculine  elo- 
quence of  his  speeches,  in  ecclesiastical  assemblies,  he 
was  long  admired,  and  had  scarcely  an  equal. 


New-York.  255 

McWhorter,  Sproat^,  Driffield,  Allison j  Erving^, 
Smith,  and  Wilson;  together  with  Isaac  Snow- 
den,  Esq.  and  Mr.  Robert  Taygart,  and  Mr. 
John  Pinkerton,  Elders.  This  committee  was 
directed  to  meet  in  Philadelphia,  in  the  month 
of  September  following;  and  was  empowered 
to  **  digest  such  a  system  as  they  shall  think  to 
"  be  accommodated  to  the  Presbyterian  church  in 
"  America,  and  procure  300  copies  to  be  printed 
"  and  distributed  among  the  Presbyteries." 

*  The  Rev.  James  Sfiroat,  D.  D.  was  a  native  of  Scitu- 
atcy  in  Massachusetts,  where  he  was  born  April  11th, 
1721.  He  received  his  education  in  Yale  College;  was 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  at  Guilford,  Connec- 
ticut, August  23,  1743  ;  was  removed  to  the  pastoral 
charge  of  the  second  Presbyterian  church  in  Philadelphia, 
in  March,  1769  ;  and  died  October  18th  1793,  in  the  73d 
year  of  his  age.  Dr.  Sfiroat  was  one  of  the  most  venera- 
ble and  excellent  ministers  of  his  day. 

t  The  Kev.  John  Eiving,  D.  D  Pastor  of  the  First  Pres- 
byterian church  in  Philadelphia,  and  Provost  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania,  He  was  born  at  J^ottingham,  in 
Maryland,  June  21st,  1732  ;  and  died  Sept.  8th,  1802,  in 
the  71st  year  of  his  age.  The  eminent  character  of  this 
gentleman ;  the  vigour  of  his  talents ;  the  extent  of  his 
learning  ;  his  extraordinary  accomplishments  as  the  head 
of  a  literary  institution  ;  and  his  excellence  as  a  preacher, 
are  well  known.  His  Lectures  on  JVatural  Philosophy, 
and  a  volume  of  Sermons,  will  long  attest  them. 


256  Nerv-Yorh 

After  several  meetings,  and  reports,  in  part,  by 
these  committees,  the  Synod,  on  the  28th  day  of 
May,  1788,  completed  the  revision  and  arrange- 
ment of  our  public  standards,  and  finally  adopt- 
ed them,  and  ordered  them  to  be  printed  and  dis- 
tributed for  the  government  of  all  the  judicato- 
ries of  the  church.  This  new  arrangfement  con- 
sisted,  in  dividing  the  body  as  it  formerly  stood 
mio four  synods,  viz.  the  synod  of  New-York  and 
]Se7V-Jers€y,\he  synod  of  Philadelphia,  the  synod 
of  Virginia,  and  the  synod  of  the  Cai^olinas^ ; 
and  constituting  over  these,  as  a  bond  of  union, 
a  General  Assembly,  in  all  essential  particulars 
after  the  model  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
established  church  of  Scotland.  The  Westmin- 
ster Confession  of  Faith,  with  three  inconsiderable 
alterationsf ;    and  the    Westminster  larger   and 

*  To  this  number,ybw7*  others  have  been  since  added,  viz. 
the  synod  oi  Kentucky^  the  synod  oi Pittsburgh^  the  synod  of 
Albany^  and  the  synod  of  Geneva.  At  the  date  of  the  above 
arrangement,  there  were  16  Presbyteries,  under  the  care 
of  the  General  Assembly  ;  at  the  present  time  there  are  40, 

t  These  alterations  in  the  Westminster  Confession  of 
Faith,  consisted  in  modifying  the  last  section  of  the  tiven" 
tieih  chapter,  entitled,  Of  Christian  Liberty ^  and  Liberty  of 
Conscience  ;  the  third  section  of  the  tnventy 'third  chapter, 
entitled,  Of  the  Civil  Magistrate  ;  and  the  first  section  of 
the  ;/i?fr^?/-^rs;  chapter,  entitled,  Of  Synods  and  Councils. 


New-York.  257 

shorter  Catechisms,  with  one  small  amendment  in 
the  former^,  were  solemnly  adopted  as  a  summa- 
ry exhibition  of  the  faith  of  the  church.  And  a 
Form  of  Government  and  Discipline,  and  Directo- 
ry for  public  worship,  &c.  drawn  chiefly  from  the. 
standards  of  the  church  of  ScoUana,  with  such 
alterations  as  the  form  of  the  civil  government, 
and  the  state  of  the  church,  in  this  country,  re- 
quired, completed  the  system. 

The  adopting  acts  above  stated,  were  imme- 
diately followed  by  a  resolution,  declaring,  that, 
"  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  the  above  ratifica- 
"  tion  by  the  synod  is,  that  the  Form  of  Govern- 
"  ment  and  Discipline,  and  the  Confession  of 
"  Faith,  as  now  ratified,  is  to  continue  to  be  our 
"  constitution,  and  the  Confession  of  our  Faith 
**  and  practice,  unalterably,  unless  two  thirds  of 
"  the  Presbyteries,  under  the  care  of  the  General 
"  Assembly,  shall  propose  alterations  or  amend- 
"  ments,  and  such  alterations  or  amendments  shall 

*  This  single  amendment  in  the  Larger  Catechism,  con- 
sisted in  expunging  the  words  "  the  tolerating  of  a  false 
"  religion,**  from  the  answ^er  to  the  lo9tii  question,  What 
are  the  sins  forbidden  in  the  second  commandment  ? 

33 


258  New-York. 

"  be  agreed  to  and  enacted  by  the  General  As- 
"  sembly*." 

The  Synod,  in  adopting  this  system,  though 
neaily  unanimous,  was  not  entirely  so.  In  the 
course  of  the  ample  discussion  which  took  place 
on  the  subject,  a  plan  of  church  government  was 
proposed  more  nearly  approaching  to  the  congre^ 
gational  form,  than  that  which  was  finally  pre- 
ferred. The  principal  advocate  of  this  plan,  was 
the  reverend  Doctor  Matthew  Wilson,  of  Lewes, 
in  the  state  of  Delaware,  a  gentleman  of  great 
piety,  learning,  and  benevolencef ,  who  had  ob- 

*  Since  that  time  no  alterations  whatever  have  been 
made  in  the  Confession  of  Faith^  or  Catechisms  ;  and  only  a 
few,  and  those  of  small  importance,  in  the  Form  of  Go- 
vernment and  Discipline ;  which  were  effected  in  the  man- 
ner above  prescribed. 

t  The  writer  of  these  memoirs  embraces,  with  particu- 
lar pleasure,  this  opportunity  of  paying  a  small  tribute  of 
respect  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Doctor  Wilson^  his  own 
friend,  and  his  father's  friend  ;  and  whom  he  can  never 
recollect,  without  mingled  emotions  of  the  tenderest  affec- 
tion, and  the  most  profound  veneration.  Ingenious,  learn- 
ed, pious,  patriotic,  and  benevolent,  in  an  eminent  degree, 
all  that  knew  him,  respected  him  ;  and  he  had  no  enemies 
but  the  enemies  of  truth  and  righteousness.  Though 
every  circumstance,  in  his  early  life,  conspired  to  place 
him  among  those  who  were  called  Old-Side'Tnen^  in  the 


New-York.  259 

jections  almost  invincible,  against  the  rigid  Pres- 
byterianism  of  Scotland,  and  who  was  not  with- 
out difficulty  reconciled  to  the  mitigated  form  of 
it,  which  was  finally  chosen  for  the  church  in 
America,  He  drew  up  and  offered  a  plan  of 
government,  in  detail,  more  conformable  to  his 
own  views,  which  was  so  respectfully  considered 
by  the  synod,  that  it  w^as  publicly  read  in  their 
hearing.  He  was  seconded  in  his  efforts  to  re- 
commend this  plan,  among  others,  by  his  friend 

great  controversy  which  divided  the  church  in  his  day ; 
yet  such  was  the  fervour  of  his  piety,  and  the  amiableness 
of  his  temper,  that  both  parties  loved  him  ;  and  he  was 
taken  by  the  hand,  by  his  JVenv-ude  brethren,  and  heard  by 
their  congregations,  with  as  much  pleasure  as  if  he  had 
been  nominally  with  them.  An  ardent  lover  of  peace,  he 
lamented  the  divisions  which  agitated  the  church  when  he 
came  into  the  ministry ;  and  was  one  of  the  principal  in- 
struments of  bringing  about  the  Union  of  1758,  an  account 
of  which  was  given  in  a  former  chapter.  Dr.  Wilson  was 
an  eminent  Physician  as  well  as  Divine.  He  was  born 
in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania^  January  15,  1731  ;  re- 
ceived his  academical  education  under  the  direction  of  the 
Rev.  Doctor  Francis  Allison^  and  the  Rev.  Doctor  AleX' 
ander  McDowell ;  settled  as  the  Pastor  oi  Lewes  and  Cool 
Spring  congregations,  in  Delaware,  in  1755  ;  received  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  the  University  of  Penn- 
syl-vaniay'm  1786;  and  died  March  30,  1790,  universally 
lamented. 


260  NeW'Tork. 

and  neighbour,  the  reverend  John  Miller,  pastor 
of  the  church  in  Dover,  Delaware,  and  the  father 
of  the  writer  of  these  memoirs*.  They  failed, 
however,  of  procuring  the  adoption  of  their  sys- 
tem. The  model  of  the  church  of  Scotland, 
though  not  servilely  copied,  was  with  great  jus- 
tice, in  general,  preferred  ;  and  a  form  of  govern- 
ment and  discipline,  as  nearly  corresponding 
with  that  model,  as  the  different  circumstances  of 
the  two  countries  rendered  expedient,  was  final- 
ly established. 

In  the  month  of  May,  1789,  the  first  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  under  the 
new  arrangement,  met  in  Philadelphia.  Doctor 
JRodgers  had  the  honour  of  being  the  first  Mode- 
rator of  that  body  ',  and  scarcely  ever  failed  of 

*  The  Rev.  John  Miller,  A.  M.  was  a  native  of  Boston, 
in  Massachusetts,  where  he  was  born  in  the  year  1721. 
After  receiving  a  regular  academical  and  theological  edu- 
cation, he  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  minis- 
try, in  his  native  town,  in  1748  ;  and  took  the  pastoral 
charge  of  the  united  congregations  of  Douer  and  Duck- 
Creek,  in  Delaware,  toward  the  close  of  the  same  year. 
He  continued  in  that  pastoral  charge,  diligent,  faithful,  and 
beloved,  until  July,  1791,  when  he  died,  in  the  69th  year 
of  his  age,  and  the  44th  of  his  ministry. 


Nerv-Yorh.  261 

being  sent  as  one  of  the  delegates  to  represent 
his  Presbytery  in  the  General  Assembly,  as 
long  as  he  had  sufficient  health  and  strength  to 
encounter  a  journey  to  the  usual  place  of  its 
meetings. 

While  these  events,  so  important,  and  so  fa- 
vourable to  the  general  interests  of  the  church, 
were  taking  place,  the  congregations  in  JSew- 
York  were  destined  to  experience  new  agitations 
and  difficulties.  The  reverend  Mr.  Wilson^  after 
labounng  in  a  collegiate  connexion  with  Dr. 
JRodgers,  for  nearly  three  years,  with  great  dili- 
gence and  faithfulness,  found  himself  affected 
with  a  pulmonary  complaint,  which  threatened 
serious  consequences.  Receiving,  about  this 
time,  a  call  from  the  Presbyterian  church  of 
Charleston,  in  South- Carolina,  where  there  was 
reason  to  believe  that  both  the  climate  and  the  ser- 
vice required  of  him,  would  be  more  favourable 
to  his  health,  than  those  of  New-York,  he  judged 
it  to  be  his  duty  to  accept  of  the  call ;  of  which, 
accordingly,  he  declared  his  acceptance  on  the 
22d  day  of  January,  1788.  He  was  immedi- 
ately dismissed,  by  the  Presbytery,  from  his  pas- 
.toral  charge  in  New-York ;  and  in  a  few  days 
afterwards   left  the  city,  with  a  view  to   pro- 


262  New-York. 

ceed  to  Charleston,  sincerely  and  deservedly  es- 
teemed*. 

The  measures  taken  for  supplying  the  vacan- 
cy occasioned  by  the  removal  of  Mr.  Wilson, 
gave  rise  to  no  small  uneasiness  and  difficulty. 
The  congregations  soon  became  divided  into  two 
parties.  The  one  was  warmly  in  favour  of  giv- 
ing a  call  to  the  reverend  Mr.  James  Muir,  who 
had  been  for  several  years  invested  with  a  pas- 
toral charge  in  the  island  of  Bermuda,  and  had, 
a  short  time  before,  paid  a  visit  to  New-York, 
The  other  was  quite  as  warmly  in  favour  of  call- 
ing Mr.  Jedidiah  Morse,  then  a  candidate  for 
the  gospel  ministryf .  Both  of  these  gentlemen 
preached  several  months  on  probation ;  and  each 
of  them  had  numerous  and  zealous  friends.  The 
contention  concerning  them  ran  high  during  the 

*  Mr.  Wilson,  after  spending  several  years  usefully  and 
comfortably  in  Charleston,  returned  to  Scotland,  his  native 
country,  where  he  remained  a  year  or  two,  and  then  again 
came  to  America.  He  never  took  a  pastoral  charge,  how- 
ever, after  his  second  visit  to  this  country  ;  but,  after 
struggling  with  ill  health,  for  a  long  time,  died  in  Virginia, 
in  the  year  1799,  in  the  48th  year  of  his  age. 

t  Now  the  reverend  Jedidiah  Morse,  D.  D.  Pastor  of 
the  church  in  Chariest onun,  Massachusetts,  whoSe  high 
character,  and  useful  writings,  are  well  known. 


New-Yorh.  263 

greater  part  of  a  year,  and  threatened  very  se- 
rious consequences.  But  Mr.  Morse,  after  a 
time,  declining  to  be  considered  as  a  candidate 
for  the  place,  and  retiring  from  the  city  ;  and 
Mr.  Muir,  soon  afterwards,  receiving  and  ac- 
cepting a  call  from  the  city  of  Alexandria,  in 
Virginia*^,  the  congregations  were  restored  to  to- 
lerable quietness  and  harmony,  in  the  spring  of 
the  year  1789,  by  each  party  givmg  up  its  fa- 
vourite. 

After  spending  a  number  of  months  in  the 
most  uncomfortable  strife,  the  congregations,  in 
the  summer  of  the  year  1789,  gave  a  call  to  the 
reverend  Mr.  John  ]McKmghi'\,  pastor  of  the 
church  in  Marsh-Creek,  Pennsyivania,  and  a 
member  of  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  It  being 
deemed  of  great  importance  that  this  call,  in  the 
then  peculiar  state  of  the  congregations,  should 
be  successful.  Doctor  Rodgers  was  prevailed 
upon  to  be  its  bearer,  and  to  prosecute  it  before 

*  The  reverend  Mr.  Muir,  now  Doctor  of  Divinity,  has 
ever  since  resided  at  Alexandria,  with  honour  and  use- 
fulness.   His  various  publications  have  been  well  received. 

t  Mr.  Mc Knight,  soon  after  his  removal  to  JVeTy-For/t, 
received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity,  from  Yale 
College, 


264  New-York, 

the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle.  His  mission  was  at- 
tended with  success.  Mr.  McKnight  accepted 
the  call,  on  the  8th  day  of  September,  1789,  and 
was  installed  as  a  collegiate  pastor  of  the  united 
churches,  with  Doctor  Rodgers,  on  the  second 
day  of  December  following.  Under  his  minis- 
trations the  churches  soon  became  united  and 
harmonious ;  and  their  prospects  of  spiritual  com- 
fort and  increase  again  brightened. 

As  soon  as  the  difficulties  occasioned  by  the 
revolutionary  war  were,  in  some  degree,  sur- 
mounted, it  became  a  favourite  object  with  the 
pastors  and  other  officers  of  the  Presbyterian 
churches  in  New-York,  to  establish  a  regular 
Charity  School  for  the  education  of  their  poor 
children.  The  legacy  of  Captain  Owen,  before 
mentioned,  laid  the  foundation  of  such  an  estab- 
lishment*. In  1787,  a  subscription  was  opened 
for  carrying  into  effect  the  same  benevolent  de- 
sign ;  when  about  1250  dollars  were  obtained.  In 
1788,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Thompson,  a  pious  and  ex- 
emplary member  of  the  church,  bequeathed  to 

*  See  page  167.  The  legacy  of  Captain  Oiven,  though 
originally,  about  8750,  was  much  diminished  by  the  de- 
preciation of  the  paper  currency,  during  the  war. 


New-York,  260 

the  corporation  near  900  dollars,  for  the  same 
purpose.  These  fruits  of  christian  liberality 
enabled  the  trustees  to  begin  their  school.  This 
was  accordingly  done  on  the  first  day  of  May, 
1789,  by  employing  a  master  to  teach  their  poor 
children,  and  hiring  a  suitable  apartment  for 
their  accommodation,  until  a  school-house  could 
be  erected.  The  last  mentioned  object  was  ac- 
complished in  1790.  Ill  that  year  the  trustees 
purchased  a  lot  in  NassaU'S\,vee\,^  between  Liber- 
ty and  Cedar  streets,  on  which  they  erected  a 
brick  building,  of  sufficient  extent  to  furnish  an 
ample  school-room,  and  accommodations  for  the 
family  of  the  instructor.  In  April,  1792,  Mr. 
James  Leslie,  a  school-master,  and  long  an 
exemplary  member  of  the  church,  bequeathed 
to  the  trustees  the  sum  of  500  dollars,  to  be 
added  to  the  school-fund.  These  legacies,  to- 
gether with  annual  public  collections,  enabled 
them  constantly  to  maintain  a  school  of  fifty  poor 
children  for  a  number  of  years. 

Doctor  Mc  Knight's  health  being  impaired, 
early  in  the  year  1792,  by  his  unwearied  and  ar- 
duous labours,  it  became  evident  that  he  was  no 
longer  able  to  preach  three  times  on  each  sab- 

e34 


266  NeW'York. 

bath,  as  he  had  faithfully  done  from  the  time  of 
his  settlement.  The  congregations,  earnestly 
desirous  of  maintaining  evening  service,  to  which 
they  had  been  long  accustomed,  determined  to 
call  a  third  minister.  A  joint  meeting  being 
held,  for  this  purpose,  on  the  29th  day  of  August, 
in  the  year  last  mentioned,  a  call  was  unanimous- 
ly voted  to  the  writer  of  these  memoirs,  at  that 
time  a  licentiate  of  the  Presbytery  of  Levves,  of 
which  his  Father,  then  recently  deceased,  had 
been  a  member.  He  accepted  the  call,  Novem- 
ber 20th,  1792;  arrived  at  New-York^  io  enter 
on  his  labours,  on  the  third  day  of  January, 
1793;  and  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gos- 
pel ministry,  and  installed  collegiate  pastor  with 
Doctor  Rodger s  and  Doctor  Mc  Knight,  on  the 
fifth  day  of  June  following. 

In  the  year  1 793,  articles  of  correspondence 
between  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church,  and  the  congregational  churches  in 
Connecticut,  were  mutually  ratified  and  adopted. 
These  articles  provided  for  the  stated  inter- 
change of  three  delegates,  to  sit  and  deliberate 
in  the  General  Assembly,  and  the  General  Asso- 
ciation, at  the  annual  meetings  of  each.  Doctor 
Rodgers  was  on  the  j^r*^  delegation  to  Connecti- 


NetV'York,  261 

cut,  in  pursuance  of  this  plan*.  He  accord- 
ingly attended  the  General  Association  of  that 
state,  in  the  month  of  June,  1793. 

In  the  month  of  November,  1794,  the  college 
of  New-Jersey,  and  the  Presbyterian  church  in 
the  United  States,  were  deprived  by  death,  of 
one  of  their  distinguished  ornaments,  the  rever- 
end Doctor  Withei spoon.  The  trustees  of  the 
college  immediately  took  measures  for  paying  a 
suitable  tribute  of  respect  to  his  memory.  For 
this  purpose  Dr.  Rodgers  was  requested  to  pre- 
pare and  deliver  a  funeral  discourse.  He  ac- 
cordingly prepared,  and  at  the  next  meeting  of 
the  Board,  on  the  sixth  of  May  following,  deli- 
vered a  sermon^  on  Matthew  xxv.  21.  which 
was  soon  afterwards  printed,  under  the  title  of 
**  The  faithful  servant  rewarded;^'  and  which 
was  subsequently  prefixed  to  Woodward's  edi- 
tion of  Dr.  Withei  spoons  Works.  This  sermon 
will  probably  be  pronomiced,  by  discerning  read- 
ers, the  most  respectable  publication,  in  a  literary 
view,  that  the  author  ever  made. 

*  The  other  delegates,  at  the  same  time,  were  the 
reverend  Doctor  John  IVood/iulli  oi  Freehold,  JVewJersey, 
and  the  reverend  Doctor  Aaror.  JVooltvorth,  of  Bridge- 
hainfiton^  Long-Island. 


268  New^York. 

In  the  year  1796,  it  became  ap)3arent  that  a 
third  church  was  much  wanted,  to  supply,  more 
particularly,  the  inhabitants  of  the  north-eastern 
part  of  the  city,  who  could  not  be  accommodated 
in  either  of  the  other  churches.  When  this  fact 
began  to  engage  the  general  attention  of  the  con- 
gregations, and  plans  to  be  formed  for  attaining 
the  object,  Henri/  Rutgers,  Esquire,  a  gentleman 
of  great  wealth  and  liberality,  who  was  then 
in  connexion  with  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
with  his  accustomed  munificence,  made  a  deed 
of  gift  to  the  trustees  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  an  ample  lot  of  ground,  at  the  corner 
of  Rutgers  and  Henry  streets,  on  which  to  erect 
the  contemplated  edifice.  The  generous  dona- 
tion was  gratefully  accepted ;  subscriptions  were 
immediately  commenced  for  defraying  the  ex- 
penses of  the  building;  and  early  in  the  spring 
of  the  year  1797,  Dr.  Rodger s  had  the  plea- 
sure of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  a  third  Pres- 
byterian church,  on  the  spot  just  mentioned. 
The  work  was  carried  on  with  expedition ;  and 
on  the  13th  day  of  May,  1798,  it  was  opened  for 
public  worship.  In  this  introductory  service  Dr. 
Badgers  presided,  and  delivered  a  sermon  on  the 
occasion  from  Haggai  ii.  7.  Afid  I  rvill  slmke 
all  nations  ;  and  the  Desire  of  all  nations  shall 


NeW'Yorh  209 

come;  and  I  will  fill  this  house  with  glory,  saith 
the  Lord  of  hosts.  The  greater  part  of  the  peWwS 
were  immediately  taken,  and  the  church  became 
filled  with  worshippers  quite  as  soon  as  could 
have  been  rationally  expected. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  year  1799,  the  Doctor, 
finding  the  infirmities  of  age  sensibly  to  increase, 
thought  it  his  duty  to  relinquish  the  Thursday 
evening  lecture,  which,  with  unwearied  dili- 
gence, and  great  usefulness,  he  had  maintained 
for  more  than  thirty  years.  He  communicated 
this  intention  to  his  colleagues  ;  and  suggested  to 
them  the  propriety  of  their  undertaking,  and  con- 
tinuing this  part  of  his  labour.  They  readily  as- 
sented to  the  proposal ;  and  the  service  was  con- 
tinued by  them,  in  a  form  somewhat  different 
from  that  in  which  he  had  conducted  it,  as  long 
as  the  churches  remained  united. 

The  ministrations  requisite  for  carrying  on  the 
stated  service  of  three  churches,  becoming  every 
day,  from  the  natural  increase  of  the  city,  more 
extensive,  multiplied,  and  laborious,  it  was  judg- 
ed expedient  to  call  ei fourth  minister.  Accord- 
ingly, after  the  usual  preliminary  steps,  the  con- 
gregations were  convened,  in  joint  meeting,  on 


270  New- York, 

the  5th  day  of  August,  1805,  when  they  unaniT 
mously  made  choice  of  the  reverend  Doctor 
Philip  Milledoler,  then  pastor  of  the  Third  Pres- 
byterian church,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  to 
be  one  of  their  collegiate  pastors ;  with  a  view, 
however,  to  his  taking  the  church  in  Rutgers- 
street,  under  his  more  particular  care,  and  being 
considered,  if  a  separation  of  the  churches  should 
ever  take  place,  as  its  sole  pastor.  The  call  for 
Dr.  Milledoler  was  regularly  prosecuted  before 
the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  ;  and  he  having 
accepted  it,  was  installed  in  the  church  in  RuU 
gerS'SXxeeX,  on  the  19th  of  November  following. 

This  measure  proved  most  auspicious  to  the 
spiritual  interests  of  that  part  of  the  city.  Few 
instances  have  occurred  of  a  more  useful  ministry 
than  that  of  Doctor  Milledoler  in  this  church. 
The  work  of  the  Lord  prospered  abundantly  in 
his  hands.  The  number,  both  of  stated  worship^ 
pers,  and  of  communicants,  rapidly  increased. 
And  from  being  small  and  feeble  when  he  en- 
tered on  the  pastoral  charge,  it  became,  in  less 
than  seven  years,  the  largest  Presbyterian  church 
in  the  United  States^, 

*  In  speaking  of  the  church  in   Butg-ers-street,  as,   at 
present,  the  largest  in  the  Presbyterian  body  in  the  Uniicd 


NeiV'Y^rk.  271 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1807,  a  number  of 
gentlemen,  worshipping  in  the  V^'a//-street  and 
Brick  churches ;  together  with  others,  who  had 
not  been  able  to  obtain  pews  in  either,  associated 
for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  new  Presbyte- 
rian church  in  the  city.  They  purchased  a 
lot  in  Cec/«r-street,  between  Nassau  and  Wil^ 
Ham  streets;  on  which  Doctor  Rodgers  had 
the  pleasure  of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  a 
fourth  church,  in  the  month  of  May  of  that 
year.  This  edifice  was  completed  in  about 
eighteen  months  from  the  time  of  its  commence- 
ment, and  was  opened  for  public  worship  on  the 
6th  day  of  November,  1808,  by  Doctor  Rodgers, 
who  delivered  the  same  sermon  on  this  occasion, 
which  he  had  delivered  at  the  opening  of  the 
church  in  Rutgers-siveei ;  and  which  was  soon 
afterwards  printed. 


States^  there  is  a  reference  to  the  number  oi  communicants^ 
which  is  between  Jive  and  six  hundred.  The  church  in 
NeiU'Ark^  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Jiichards^  was,  it  is  believed,  quite  as  large,  previous  to  the 
erection  of  the  second  church  in  that  town,  under  the  care 
of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Gumming,  At  present,  it  is  not 
known  to  the  writer  that  any  Presbyterian  church  in  ou 
country  embraces  so  large  a  number  of  communicating 
members  as  that  of  Dr.  Milledoler. 


272  New-York, 

The  persons  composing  the  Cedar-^iveeX  con- 
gregation, convened,  in  the  month  of  August,  of 
the  year  last  mentioned,  for  the  purpose  of  choos- 
ing a  pastor.  At  this  meeting  Dr.  Rodgers  pre- 
sided. They  unanimously  made  choice  of  the  rev- 
erend John  B.  Romeyriy  then  pastor  of  the  church 
in  Albany,  to  be  their  minister.  Doctor  Romeyn 
having  accepted  the  call,  removed  to  the  city,  and 
was  installed  their  pastor,  on  the  9th  of  November, 
ensuing. 

Hitherto  the  three  churches  in  TTa/Z-street, 
Beehnan-^Xxeei,  and  T^w^^er^-street,  were  united. 
There  was  one  board  of  Trustees,  and  one  bench 
of  Elders,  over  the  whole.  So  that,  though  wor- 
shipping in  three  houses,  they  were,  properly 
speaking,  but  one  church.  And  each  of  the  mi- 
nisters, (excepting  Doctor  Milledoler,  the  pecu- 
liarity of  whose  call  placed  hitn  in  different  cir- 
cumstances from  his  colleagues,)  was  equally  con- 
nected with  all  the  congregations.  The  incon- 
veniences attending  this  arrangement,  both  to 
the  ministers  and  the  people,  were  many  and  se- 
rious. These  inconveniences  had  been  long  seen 
and  deplored.  But  the  difficulty  of  removing  the 
cause  of  them,  seemed  almost  insurmountable. 
A  large  number  of  the  people  were  so  much  at- 


New-York.  273 

tached  to  the  union  of  the  congregations,  to  which 
they  had  been  long  accastonaed,  that  there  ap- 
peared little  hope  of  being  able  to  overcome  their 
prejudices  on  this  subject.  The  formation  of  the 
C<E?r/ar-street  church,  in  the  autumn  of  1808,  as  a 
separate  pastoral  charge;  the  calling  of  their  mi- 
nister ;  and  the  entu*e  and  most  happy  success 
which  attended  their  undertaking,  drew  the  at- 
tention of  numbers  to  the  subject,  who  had  never 
thought  of  it  seriously  before.  The  result 
was,  that  the  opinions  of  many  in  favour  of  a 
union  of  churches,  were  altered ;  and  that  mea- 
sures were  taken,  in  the  winter  and  spring  of  the 
year  1809,  for  dividing  the  united  churches 
into  three  separate  pastoral  charges.  These 
measures  issued  in  the  attainment  of  the  object, 
in  the  month  of  April,  of  that  year  ;  w  hen  a  ma- 
jority of  the  congregations,  at  meetings  both 
jointly  and  separately  held,  voted  for  the  propos- 
ed separation,  which  the  Presbyteiy  sanctioned 
and  ratified,  at  a  meeting  in  Elizabeth-lawn, 
on  the  26th  day  of  that  month.  In  the  ar- 
rangements which  attended  this  separation.  Dr. 
Rodgers  continued  his  pastoral  relation  both  to 
the  Wall-street  and  Brick  churches;  Doctor 
McKnight,  with  the  leave  of  the  Presbytery,  re- 
signed his  charge,  and  removed  in  a  few  months 

35 


274  NeW'Yorh, 

afterwards,  to  Pennsylvania  ;  and  the  writer  of 
these  memoirs  was  liberated  from  his  pastoral  re- 
lation to  the  Brick  church,  and  became  collegi- 
ate pastor  of  the  church  in  TFa//-street  only. 
The  arrangement  which  had  been  stipulated  in 
Doctor  Milledolers  call,  took  place,  of  course, 
with  respect  to  him. 

Though  this  separation  was  not  effected  with- 
out considerable  opposition  and  ditticulty,  it  was 
attended,  on  the  whole,  with  much  less  of  both 
than  might  have  been  expected.  The  agitations 
which  it  produced  have  gradually  subsided :  and 
now,  the  experience  of  four  years,  it  is  believed, 
has  so  far  disclosed  the  advantages  of  separate 
pastoral  charges,  as  to  leave  few  persons  under 
the  influence  of  hostility,  or  even  of  doubt,  toward 
the  measure  adopted.  No  man,  unquestionably, 
who  witnessed  the  scene,  would  ever  again  lift 
his  hand  in  favour  of  associating  several  congre- 
gations under  the  same  pastors  ! 

In  the  beginning  of  the  winter  of  1809,  and 
1810,  the  congregation  worshipping  in  Wall- 
street,  determined  to  take  down  their  house  of 
worship,  which  had  become  too  old  and  totter- 
ing to  be  any  longer  occupied  with  safety,  and 


New-York.  275 

to  erect  a  new  one  on  the  same  scite.  The  re- 
quisite prehminary  measures  having  been  taken, 
the  corner-stone  of  the  new  building  was  laid  on 
the  21st  of  March,  1810.  On  this  interesting  oc- 
casion, Doctor  Rodger s  attended,  bending  under 
the  weight  of  years.  It  had  been  the  earnest  wish 
of  many,  that  in  commencing  the  rebuilding  of  the 
original  church,  to  which  he  had  first  borne  the 
pastoral  relation,  and  which  was  surrounded  with 
the  sepulchres  of  those  who  had  called  and  wel- 
comed him  to  the  city,  he  should  lay  the  first 
stone.  His  infirmities,  however,  rendered  this 
impossible.  It  was  laid  by  the  writer  of  the  pre- 
sent volume ;  his  venerable  colleague  bemg  only 
able  to  favour  the  solemnity  with  his  presence 
and  his  benediction. 

While  the  edifice  thus  commenced  was  erect- 
ing, or  rather  more  than  three  months  before  the 
erection  of  it  was  begun,  the  congregation  wor- 
shipped in  the  French  Episcopal  church,  Du  St, 
Esprit,  in  Pme-street,  which,  on  application,  was 
politely  and  liberally  granted  by  the  vestry  for 
their  use.  That  place  of  worship  was  occupied 
by  the  Presbyterian  congregation  from  the  1st  day 
of  December,  1809,  till  the  11th  day  of  August, 
1811,  on  the  latter  of  which  days,  the  new  edi- 


276  NeW'Yorh 

iice  in  Wall-siveet,  was  first  opened  for  the  wor- 
ship of  God*.  But  the  venerable  servant  of 
Christ,  who  had  witnessed  the  commencement 
of  the  buikling,  and  who  had  taken  a  deep  inter- 
est in  its  progress,  was  no  longer  a  partaker  in 
the  services  of  an  earthly  sanctuary.  Before  the 
arrival  of  that  day,  he  had  been  translated  to  the 
services  and  the  joys  of  a  better  sanctuary  on 
high. 

A  few  weeks  after  the  commencement  of  the 
new  building  in  WaU-sireei,  Doctor  Rodgers  had 
the  pleasure  of  being  present  at  the  laying  of  the 
corner-stone  of  a  sixth^  Presbyterian  church,  in 
>Sj!>rm^-street,  in  the  city  of  New-York,  The 
short  prayer  which  he  made,  on  this  occasion,  in 
the  open  air,  was,  so  far  as  is  recollected,  the  last 
public  service  that  he  ever  performed.  He  was 
never  able,  after  that  day,  to  perform  any  official 
duty,  excepting  those,  which  admitted  of  being 
attended  in  his  own  house. 

*  The  new  church  in  Wall-street  was  opened,  by  the 
writer  of  these  memoirs,  with  a  sermon  from  2  Chron. 
vi.  4l, 

t  The  church  erected  by  the  Irhh  Presbyterian  congre- 
gation, under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  McJVeice 
and  which  had  been  opened  in  the  summer  of  the  preced- 
ing year,  was  Xh^Jifth. 


New-York.  277 

The  infirmities  of  Doctor  Rodgers  led  the 
members  of  the  Brick  church,  of  which,  after  the 
separation,  he  was  the  sole  pastor,  to  look  out  for 
further  ministerial  aid.  Accordingly  in  the 
month  of  May,  1810,  they  gave  a  unanimous 
call  to  Mr.  Gardiner  Spring,  a  licentiate  from 
Massachusetts,  who  had  preached  to  them  for  a 
few  weeks.  Mr.  Spring  accepted  their  call,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry, 
and  installed  collegiate  pastor  of  that  church, 
with  Dr.  Rodgers,  on  the  8th  day  of  August  fol- 
lowing. The  Doctor  attended  with  his  brethren, 
on  this  interesting  occasion,  and  united,  for  the 
last  time,  in  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the 
Presbytery  ;  but  was  not  able  to  take  any  other 
part  in  the  services  of  the  day.  During  the  few 
months  afterward  that  he  lived,  he  took  his  young 
Colleague  by  the  hand  with  paternal  solicitude 
and  affection;  discovered  great  anxiety  to  pro- 
mote his  usefulness ',  and  rejoiced  in  his  talents 
and  success. 


CHAP.  VIII. 


vtt^ns^  S^nu^^  ^Ti  ^:3J<  "^^K 

2  Kings  ii.  12. 

a^^tt^  tt^-^S  nnnx  ""^d  y:^'<  nK*n>  sn  -id^^ 

Psalm  xxxvii,  37. 


His  last  Illness  and  Death, 


The  decline  of  Dr.  Rodgers  was  remarkably 
gradual.  In  the  month  of  December,  1803,  he 
informed  the  church  session,  that  "  on  account 
"  of  his  age,  and  growing  infirmities,  he  was  no 
"  longer  able  to  preach  more  than  once  on  the 
"  Lord's  day ;''  and  requested  that  such  measures 
might  be  taken  to  obtain  additional  supplies  for 
the  pulpit,  as  his  failure  to  perform  full  service 
rendered  necessary.  On  which  it  was  re- 
solved unanimously,  "  That  the  session  entertain 
«*  a  high  and  grateful  sense  of  the  long  and  faith- 
"  ful  services  of  Doctor  Rodgers ;  and  though 
"  they  deeply  regret  that  his  infirmities  will  de- 
"  prive  the  churches  of  a  portion  of  his  usual  la- 


6( 
ii 


His  last  Illness  and  Death.  279 

"  boars ;  vet  they  are  persuaded  that  he  ought 

*'  to  be  excused  from  such  a  portion  of  his  minis- 
trations as  he  may  not  find  himself  able,  without 
difficulty,  to  perform ;  and  that  measures  ought 

"  to  be  adopted,  as  soon  as  convenient,  to  procure 

"  further  supplies  for  the  pulpits." 

In  addition  to  this  decline   of  bodily  vigour, 
which  rendered  a  partial  retirement  from  public 
service  necessary,  his  mind  began  to   discover 
marks  of  decay.     His  memory,  as  usual,  was  the 
first  of  his   mental  powers  which  manifested  a 
failure.     About  the  time  w^hen  he  withdrew  from 
the  second  service  on  the  sabbath,  he  commenced 
the   use   of  notes  in  preaching.      Through  his 
whole  ministerial  life,  prior  to  this  period,  he  had 
been  in  the   habit  of  delivering  his  sermons  in  a 
degree  memoriter,  that  is,  he  in   general  wrote 
with  care,  the  substance  of  what  he  delivered, 
and  afterwards   read  it  over  with  sufficient  fre- 
quency to   impress  upon  his  memory  the  whole 
of  the  matter,  and,  to  a  certain  extent,  though 
not  servilely,  the  language,  which  he  had  com- 
mitted to  paper.     This   was  his  constant  habit 
anterior  to  the  year  1803.     In  that  year,  when 
he  was  in  the  77th  year  of  his  age,  perceiving 
that  his  memory  was  neither  so  prompt,  nor  so 


280  His  last  Illness  and  Death. 

faithful,  as  he  had  been  wont  to  find  it,  he  began 
to  take  his  written  discourses  into  the  pulpit,  and 
to  lay  them  before  him  in  the  delivery.  In  this 
habit  he  continued  as  long*  as  he  was  able  to 
preach.  Still,  however,  he  was  always  in  a  de- 
gree animated,  and  sometimes  so  much  so  as  to 
rem  Hid  his  more  aged  hearers  of  the  ardent  and 
impassioned  manner  of  his  early  life. 

In  the  summer  of  1809,  such  was  the  feeble- 
ness of  his  body,  that  it  became  difficult,  not  to 
say  almost  impossible,  for  him  to  ascend  the  pul- 
pit, and,  even  when  he  had  reached  it,  the  failure 
of  his  memory,  especially  at  some  limes,  was  so 
great,  that  he  was  unable  to  go  tlirough  the  ser- 
vice without  giving  more  or  less  pain,  both  to 
himself  and  his  hearers.  In  September,  of  that 
year,  he  preached  his  last  sermon.  Nothing  re- 
markable attended  this  service.  Neither  he  nor 
the  congregation  considered  it,  at  the  time,  as 
likely  to  be  the  last :  but  so  it  proved.  A  vari- 
ety of  circumstances  concurred  with  the  gra- 
dual decline  of  his  strength,  to  prevent  his  ever 
entering  the  pulpit  again. 

On  the  first  sabbath  of  the  following  Decem- 
ber, the  Lord's  supper  was  administered  in  the 


His  last  Illness  and  Death.  2Sl 

French  Church,  in  which  the  congregation  then 
worshipped.  Occasions  of  this  kind  never  failed 
to  excite  in  Dr.  Rodders  peculiar  tenderness  of 
feeUng,  and  to  draw  from  him  his  most  affection- 
ate and  interesting  addresses.  On  this  occasion, 
he  forgot,  for  a  moment,  his  infirmities,  and  at- 
4;empted  to  serve  a  table.  But  his  recollection  so 
entirely  failed  him,  in  the  midst  of  the  service, 
that  it  was  with  the  utmost  difiiculty,  and  not 
without  important  omissions,  that  he  got  through 
it.  Seldom  has  a  more  affecting  scene  been  ex- 
hibited. The  tears  of  hundreds  witnessed  their 
mingled  emotions  of  respect  and  sympathy,  to- 
ward a  beloved  pastor,  whom  they  saw  sinking 
into  the  grave. 

In  the  year  1810,  nothing  remarkable  occur- 
red, concerning  the  subject  of  these  memoirs,  ex- 
cepting his  attendance,  as  related  in  the  last 
chapter,  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stones  of  the 
TF«//-street,  and  <^rm^-street  churches.  His 
daily  decline,  both  in  bodily  and  mental  strength, 
in  the  course  of  this  year,  was  perceptible  and 
distressing.  It  grew  more  and  more  difficult 
for  him  to  walk  abroad,  until  toward  the  close  of 
the  year,  when  his  feebleness  became  so  extreme, 
that  he  no  longer  attempted  to  leave  his  house. 

36 


282  His  last  Illness  and  Death. 

And  early  in  January  of  the  following  year,  at 
the  solicitation  of  his  family,  he  was  prevailed 
upon  to  retire  to  his  chamber,  which  he  never 
again  quitted,  excepting*  to  walk  for  a  few 
moments  into  an  adjoining  apartment,  till  his 
death. 

For  about  six  weeks  before  his  death,  he  was 
confined  almost  entirely  to  his  bed.  During  this 
period,  his  memory  was  so  far  impaired,  that  he 
often  could  not  recollect  the  names,  and  some- 
times appeared  scarcely  to  recognize  the  persons^ 
of  his  most  intimate  friends.  On  one  occasion  he 
did  not  appear  distinctly  to  know  even  his  own  son, 
when  he  made  one  of  his  daily  visits.  But  it  is 
a  fact,  that  even  when  his  recollection  was  thus 
far  weakened,  with  respect  to  the  nearest  and 
dearest  temporal  objects,  it  was  nearly  as 
prompt  and  faithful  as  ever  with  respect  to 
spiritual  and  eternal  things.  He  never  ap- 
peared, for  a  moment,  to  forget  his  God  and  Sa- 
viour*.    In  the  most  reduced  state  of  his  mental 

*  It  is  pleasing  to  reflect,  that  this  case  is  by  no  means 
a  singular  one.  An  eminently  pious  minister,  in  a  neigh- 
bouring state,  who  had  passed  a  long  life  of  more  than  or- 
dinary devotedness  to  the  cause  of  his  Divine  Master,  had 
so  far  lost  his  memory,  a  short  time  before  his  death,  as 


His  last  Illness  and  Death.  283 

powers,  lie  caused  his  family  to  be  convened  in 
his  chamber,  morning  and  evening,  and  prayed 
with  them  in  a  tender,  connected,  and  edifying 
manner.  And  when  he  could  no  longer  re- 
cognize the  name  or  the  countenance  of  an  in- 
timate  friend,  whom  he  almost  daily  saw,  he 
could  speak  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  quote 
passages  of  scripture,  which  relate  to  his  per- 
sonal glory,  and  his  gracious  benefits;  pour 
out  the  fulness  of  a  heart  breathing  after  the 
holy  joys  of  his  presence;  and  recommend 
him  to  those  with  whom  he  conversed ;  not,  in- 
deed so  fluently  or  uninterruptedly  as  in  his  or- 
dinary health ;  but  in  a  manner  truly  gratifying 
to  those  around  him. 

Facts  of  this  kind  are  neither  new  nor  un- 
common. An  eminent  Physician  of  our  own 
country,  has  said,  "  I  never  met  with  a  single  in- 
"  stance  in  which  the  moral  or  reliijious  faculties 

not  to  know  his  own  children,  or  even  to  recollect  that  he 
had  children.  A  christian  friend  asked  him,  on  a  parti- 
cular occasion,  whether  he  knew  such  a  child,  or  such  a 
neighbour  ?  his  reply,  in  each  case,  was,  "  No,  I  did  not 
''  know  that  I  had  such  a  child,  or  such  a  neighbour." 
His  friend  then  said,  "  Do  you  know  the  Lord  Jesus 
"  Christ  ?" — He  replied,  immediately,  and  with  strong 
emotion,  "  Oh  yes  j  I  know  Him  j  he  is  my  best  Friend  /" 


2l84  His  last  Illness  and  Death, 

"  were  impaired  in  old  people.  In  the  course  of 
"  my  inquiries  I  heard  of  a  man  of  101  years  of 
"  age,  who  declared  that  he  had  forgotten  every 
"  thing"  he  had  ever  known,  except  his  God/' 
The  same  writer,  in  another  place,  tells  us,  "  I 
"  once  knew  a  man  who  discovered  no  one  mark 
^*  of  reason,  who  possessed  the  moral  sense  or 
'*  faculty  in  so  high  a  degree,  that  he  spent  his 
*'  whole  life  in  acts  of  benevolence.  He  had  no 
*'  ideas  of  time,  but  what  was  suggested  to  him 
**  by  the  returns  of  the  stated  periods  for  public 
"  worship,  in  which  he  appeared  to  take  great 
"  delight.  He  spent  several  hours  of  every  day 
**  in  devotion*."  The  influence  of  constant  hahit 
in  preserving  an  aptitude  and  readiness,  as  well 
as  capacity,  for  this  class  of  exercises,  as  sug- 
gested by  this  writer,  is,  no  doubt,  great.  The 
exercises  of  piety  are  among  the  few  which  aged 
people,  who  have  any  taste  for  them,  never  in- 
termit ;  but  rather  abound  in,  more  and  more, 
as  they  advance  in  life.  Perhaps,  however, 
there  is  another  consideration,  on  which  still 
more  stress  ought  to  be  laid,  in  accounting  for 
the  fact  in  question.     The  commencement,   the 

*  Rush's   Medical  Inquiries  and  Observations,  vol.  1. 
D.  442.  and  vol.  2,  p.  12,  13.  second  edition. 


His  last  Illness  and  Death,  285 

maintenance,  and  the  progress  of  real  piety,  in 
any  heart,  are  the  result  of  Divine  injluence.  We 
no  where  have  a  promise,  that  the  intellectual 
powers  of  the  pious  shall  be  preserved  unimpair- 
ed, until  their  translation  to  a  better  world ;  but 
we  have  a  promise,  that  He  who  has  begun  a 
good  work,  will  perform  it  until  the  dag  of'  Jesus 
Christ,  It  would,  doubtless,  be  as  easy  for  Om- 
nipotence to  continue  a  capacity  for  one  class  of 
exercises  as  for  another ;  but  as  his  promise  has 
secured  this  blessing'  in  one  case,  and  not  in 
another;  and  as  the  consolations  which  result 
from  moral  and  religious  sources  are  much  more 
desirable  and  important,  in  the  evening  of  life, 
than  those  which  are  connected  with  intellectual 
activity;  it  appears  in  every  respect  worthy  of 
infinite  wisdom  and  goodness,  to  ascribe  the  ac- 
knowledged fact  of  which  we  are  speaking-,  to 
the  benign  and  gracious  agency  of  Him,  who 
has  said,  to  every  child  of  his  grace,  /  7vill  never 
leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee. — But  to  return  to  the 
venerable  subject  of  these  memoirs. 

In  the  evening  preceding  his  death,  he  prayed 
with  his  family  for  the  last  time.  After  a  few 
short  petitions  of  the  usual  kind,  for  their  tempo- 
ral and  spiritual  welfare,  he  prayed  fervently  and 


286  His  last  Illness  and  Death. 

affectionately,  for  the  Congregations  which  had 
been  so  long  under  his  pastoral  care.  Having 
dwelt,  in  a  number  of  appropriate  and  connected 
sentences,  on  this  topic,  he  passed  on  to  other 
subjects  of  petition ;  but  immediately  returned  to 
the  "  dear  people  of  his  charge,"  and,  with  in- 
creasing fervour  of  manner,  prayed  for  them  a 
second  time.  Nay,  after  a  few  intervening  sen- 
tences relating  to  other  objects,  as  if  unable  to 
take  leave  of  the  subject,  he  introduced  a  third 
time,  with  as  much  affection  and  copiousness  as 
before,  his  "  beloved  people  ;''  and  with  earnest 
entreaties  that  the  Holy  Spirit  might  be  poured 
out  upon  them,  and  that  they  might  be  more  and 
more  united  in  affection,  and  built  up  in  holi- 
ness, he  closed  the  last  social  prayer  that  he  ever 
made. 

The  next  morning,  after  being  raised  up  and 
placed  in  his  easy  chair,  for  a  few  moments, 
while  his  bed  was  made,  he  requested,  on  lying 
down  again,  that  the  family  might  be  convened, 
as  usual,  for  the  purpose  of  praying  with  them. 
When  it  was  suggested,  that  he  was  too  much  ex- 
hausted, and  that  he  had  better  wait  a  short  time, 
until  he  should  recover  a  little  after  his  recent  ex- 
ertion, he  acquiesced,  but  soon  fell  into  a  gentle 


His  last  Illness  and  Death,  287 

slumber,  and  did  not  mention  the  subject  after- 
wards. 

Toward  three  o'clock,  in  the  afternoon  of  that 
day,  he  became  in  a  small  degree  restless,  and 
manifested  symptoms  of  approaching  dissolution. 
His  colleague  was  immediately  sent  for,  and  in  a 
few  minutes  entered  the  room.  He  found  him 
unable  to  speak ;  but  had  the  pleasure  of  perceiv- 
ing, that  he  knew  him ;  and  by  signs,  as  well  as 
by  his  countenance,  that  he  enjoyed  his  wonted 
hope  and  consolation,  and  that  he  wished  him  to 
pray  with  him.  A  short  prayer  was  accordingly 
offered  up ;  and  the  venerable  servant  of  Jesus 
Christ,  without  again  recovering  his  speech,  was, 
about  four  o'clock,  P.  M.  on  the  7th  day  of  May, 
1811,  in  the  84th  year  of  his  age,  and  in  the  63d 
year  of  his  ministry,  quietly  released  from  his 
mortal  tabernacle,  and  translated  to  his  eternal 
resW 

The  officers  of  the  churches  to  which  the  de- 
ceased had  sustained  the  pastoral  relation,  on  be- 
ing informed  of  his  death,  immediately  conven- 
ed ;  and  having  communicated  to  his  widow  and 
family  their  wishes  that  the  care  and  expense  of 
the  funeral  might  be  left  with  them,  proceeded  to 


288  His  last  Illness  and  Death, 

take  order  oq  the  subject.  The  funeral  was  at- 
tended on  Thursday,  the  9th  of  May.  Scarcely 
ever  was  there  seen  in  New-  York  so  large  a  con- 
course of  real  mourners.  The  corpse  was  taken 
into  the  Brick  church,  while  an  impressive  fu- 
neral oration  was  delivered  by  Doctor  Milledoler, 
and  was  afterwards  deposited  in  a  vault  in  the 
yard  of  that  church.  The  pulpits  of  all  the  Pres- 
byterian churches  in  the  city,  were  hung"  in 
mourning  on  the  occasion ;  and  on  the  succeed- 
ing sabbath,  in  most,  if  not  all,  of  those  churches, 
funeral  sermons  were  delivered ;  a  specimen  of 
which  will  be  subjoined  to  this  volume. 


CHAPTER  IX, 


v^c^«  xi.  24. 


His  general  Character. 

Before  the  writer  undertakes  to  sketch  the 
general  character  of  his  venerable  Colleague,  to 
the  commemoration  of  which  he  has  devoted  the 
present  volume,  he  begs  leave  to  oifer  the  tes- 
timony of  some  others  on  the  same  subject.  By 
inserting  the  communications  which  follow,  he 
has  no  doubt  he  shall  afford  pleasure  to  every 
reader. 

Happening  to  be  in  Philadelphia^  a  few  days 
after  the  death  of  Doctor  Rodgers,  he  addressed 
the  following  letter  to  that  enlightened  Physi- 
cian and  Philanthropist,  who,  more  than  any 
other  individual,  deserves  to  be  styled  the  Father 
of  Medical  Sciei  ce  in  America,  and  who  is  not 
ashamed  to  be  called  a  Christian. 

37 


290  His  general  Character, 

'' Philadelphia^  May  25, 1811.'' 
''  Dear  Sir," 

"  I  have  resolved  to  present  to  the  public  some 
account  of  the  life  and  character  of  my  late  col- 
league, the  reverend  Doctor  Rodgers^ 

"  Having  frequently  heard  you  speak  of  an  ac- 
quaintance, which,  from  early  life,  you  enjoyed 
Avith  that  venerable  man,  and  tell  a  number  of 
anecdotes  which  did  him  honour ;  will  you  allow 
me  to  solicit  from  you  a  communication,  contain- 
ing such  facts  and  remarks  as  may  occur  to  your 
recollection,  and  appear  proper  to  be  introduced 
into  the  proposed  account  ?  It  is  my  wish  to  re- 
cord your  testimony,  with  that  of  some  other  dis- 
tinguished characters,  in  an  attempt  to  do  honour 
to  the  memory  of  a  Minister  of  Jesus,  who  was 
eminently  useful  while  he  lived,  and  whose  la- 
bours and  example  will  not,  I  trust,  cease  to  be 
useful  for  many  years  to  come." 
"  I  am,  dear  sir,  with  high  respect," 
"  your  obliged  friend,  and  humble  servant," 
"  Dr.  Rush:'  "  Samuei.  Miller." 

In  consequence  of  this  request,  the  following 
communication  was,  in  a  short  time  afterwards, 
received. 


His  general  Character.  29 1 

"  Philadelphia,  June  7th,  1811." 
^  Dear  Sir," 

"  I  re^et  that  I  shall  not  be  able  to  fulfil  your 
wishes  in  such  a  manner,  as  to  render  my  small 
tribute  of  respect  and  aftection  to  our  departed 
Friend,  worthy  of  a  place  in  your  account  of  his 
life  and  character." 

^'  My  first  knowledge  of  the  late  reverend  Dr. 
Rodgers  was  at  the  reverend  Dr.  Finleys  school, 
in  Cecil  county,  in  3Iaryland,  in  the  year  1756. 
He  was  a  member  of  a  Presbytery  which  met 
statedly  in  Dr.  Finley's  church,  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  the  school.  During  the  sitting  of 
the  Presbytery,  he,  together  with  several  other 
clergymen,  always  lodged  at  Dr.  Finleys 
house.  He  likewise  assisted  the  Doctor  occa- 
sionally in  the  exercises  which  usually  accom- 
pany the  commemoration  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
in  the  Presbyterian  cliurch,  at  which  time  he 
was  always  a  guest  in  the  Doctor's  family.  In 
all  these  ecclesiastical  visits,  he  endeared  him- 
self to  the  little  boys  that  boarded  in  the  Doc- 
tor's house,  by  finding  out  and  calling  them  by 
their  names  \  by  conversing  with  them  upon 
the  subjects  of  their  studies;  and,  when  called 
upon  to  pray  in  the  family,  by  offering  up  the 


292  His  general  Character > 

most  fervent  supplications  to  the  throne  of  grace, 
for  their  temporal  and  eternal  welfare.  His  ser- 
mons were  likewise  very  acceptable  to  us,  because 
they  were  more  accommodated  to  our  capacities, 
and  delivered  in  a  more  impressive  and  affection- 
ate manner,  than  those  of  most  of  the  ministers 
that  occasionally  filled  our  preceptor's  pulpit. 
The  respect  and  attachment  I  thus  early  con- 
ceived for  our  excellent  Friend,  grew  with  my 
years,  and  was  much  strengthened  by  the  con- 
nexion which  took  place  between  his  Son  and 
me,  the  present  worthy  Dr.  John  R,  B.  Rodgers, 
from  his  studying  medicine  under  my  direction. 
In  all  the  Doctor's  visits  to  Rhiladelphia,  he 
never  failed  to  dine,  or  pass  an  evening,  in  my 
family,  in  which  he  was  always  a  welcome  and 
agreeable  guest.'* 

"  I  have  great  pleasure  in  recollecting,  not 
only  his  pleasant  and  instructive  conversations, 
but  many  agreeable  anecdotes  I  have  heard  of 
his  piety,  prudence,  and  good  sense,  I  shall 
mention  two  or  three  of  the  latter.  Some  years 
ago  I  was  sent  for  to  visit  a  Mrs.  Kirkpatrick,  of 
this  city,  who  told  me  she  had  spent  the  early 
part  of  her  life,  in  the  congregation  of  the  rever- 
end Mr.  Roan,  of  jNeshaminy,  at  whose  school 


His  general  Character,  293 

Dr.  Rodgers  received  his  academical  learning ; 
and  that  she  had  often  contrived  on  a  Sunday, 
when  she  went  to  church,  to  walk  a  few  feet  be- 
hind him,  when  he  was  but  fourteen  years  of  age, 
on  purpose  to  hear  his  pious  and  sensible  con- 
versation with  his  school-mates.*' 

^*  A  member  of  the  Doctor's  congregation  once 
complained  to  him,  that  his  prayers  were  too  me- 
thodical, and  that  they  appeared  to  be  studied, 
"  You  are  right,  Sir,"  (said  the  Doctor,)  "  my 
"  prayers  are  studied.  Would  you  have  me 
^*  offer  God  that  which  costs  me  nothing?" 

"  In  one  of  his  last  visits  to  Philadelphia,  he 
informed  me,  that  when  he  resided  \n  New- Castle 
county,  in  the  then  three  Lower  Counties,  as  they 
were  called,  upon  the  Delaware,  he  offended  a 
part  of  his  congregation,  by  voting  at  a  disputed 
election  for  a  Sheriff,  in  consequence  of  which, 
he  said,  he  had  never  voted  at  a  general  election 
afterwards.  In  this  act  of  self-denial,  he  disco- 
vered a  practical  knowledge  of  the  scale  of  du- 
ties ;  for  how  feeble  is  the  obligation  in  a  minister 
of  the  gospel,  to  promote  the  supposed  prosperity 
of  his  country  by  a  solitary  vote,  compared  with 
his  obligation  to    preserve  a  commanding  and 


294  His  general  Clmracter, 

undivided  influence  over  his  whole  congregation, 
in  order  more  effectually  to  direct  their  attention 
to  subjects  of  an  imperishable  nature !" 

"  Of  his  christian  and  ministerial  character,  I 
need  say  nothing  to  you,  who  have  been  so  long, 
and  so  happily,  united  with  him  in  parochial  la- 
bours. To  both  he  added,  in  an  uncommon  de- 
gree, the  manners  of  a  fine  gentleman.  Such 
was  his  intuitive  knowledgfe  and  strict  attention 
to  time  and  jylace,  in  his  intercourse  with  the 
world,  that  he  not  only  pleased,  but  I  never 
heard  of  his  having,  even  from  carelessness,  or 
inadvertency,  offended  a  human  being  in  the 
course  of  his  life.  Indeed,  his  manners  seemed 
to  be  in  strict  unison  with  his  pure  and  exempla- 
ry morals.  Considering  how  little  he  was  in- 
debted to  instruction,  and  fashionable  company, 
in  the  early  part  of  his  life,  for  the  singular  po- 
lish, and  charm  of  his  manners,  and  how  many 
men,  with  all  the  advantages  of  high  birth,  and 
constant  as  well  as  early  intercourse  with  ele- 
gant society,  are  deficient  in  the  air,  and  ease, 
and  all  the  proprieties  of  behavioui',  it  would 
seem  that  a  real  gentleman  is  as  much  the  child 
of  nature,  as  a  poet  or  a  painter." 


His  general  Character.  295 

"  The  following  extract  from  a  letter  written 
to  me  upon  my  marriage,  will  show  the  happy 
mixture  of  piety  with  the  friendship  with  which 
the  Doctor  honoured  me." 

"  NeW'Yorl!,  Jan.  30, 1776." 
"  My  dear  Sir," 

"  With  great  sincerity  I  congratulate  you 
upon  your  late  agreeable  marriage  ;  nor  is  there 
any  happiness,  temporal  or  spiritual,  that  I  do 
not  most  cordially  wish  you  and  your  amiable 
consort.  May  the  best  of  Heaven's  blessings 
attend  you  both,  through  all  the  various  scenes 
of  future  life !  May  they  meet  you  in  rich  vari- 
ety and  plenty  in  every  change,  and  hand  you 
both,  after  a  life  of  usefulness  and  comfort,  into 
the  mansions  of  eternal  rest!" 

"  In  the  summer  of  1777,  the  Doctor's  Son, 
while  my  pupil,  was  attacked  with  an  obstinate 
and  dangerous  fever,  which  he  caught  in  attend- 
ing a  crowded  military  hospital  in  Philadelphia* 
During  his  illness,  I  received  two  letters  from 
the  Doctor,  extracts  from  which  will  show  in  a 
very  stnku.g  manner,  the  union  of  paternal  solici- 
tude with  Christian  resignation." 


.J 


296  His(/eneral  Character. 

"  Kingston,  June  3cl,  1777/' 
*'  My  dear  Sir," 

**  I  wrote  you  a  few  lines  this  morning,  by  an 
express  to  the  delegates  of  this  state  in  Congress ; 
but  he  is  not  to  return  immediately,  and  such  is 
my  solicitude  to  hear  from  my  dear  Johnny,  that 
the  bearer  goes  on  purpose  with  this  letter,  and 
another  to  Mr.  Smith,  to  bring  me  news  from 
him.  Is  he  yet  among  the  living,  or  is  he  num- 
bered with  the  dead  ? — tender  and  solemn  ques- 
tions, indeed,  respecting  an  only  son,  and  a  fa- 
vourite child !  But  it  is  the  Lord,  and  it  becomes 
me  to  submit.  Pray  dispatch  the  bearer  as 
speedily  as  possible." 

"  Kingston,  June  11th,  1777." 
"  My  dear  Sir," 

"  With  inexpressible  solicitude  I  am  waiting 
the  return  of  the  express  I  dispatched  to  Phila- 
delphia, last  week,  to  hear  the  fate  of  my  dear 
son.  I  expect  him  to-day.  O !  that  he  may 
bring  me  favourable  accounts;  but  the  will  of 
the  Lord  be  done !  I  hope  the  express  will  bring 
me  a  line  from  you.  I  beg  you  will  be  kind 
enough  to  give  me  as  particular  a  state  of  his 
case,  as  your  time  will  admit,  by  the  first  post, 
whether  dead  or  alive." 


His  general  Cliaracter.  297 

"  I  shall  only  add  an  extract  of  a  letter  I  re- 
ceived from  the  Doctor,  after  he  heard  of  the  re- 
covery of  his  son." 


7? 


Kingston,  June  16, 1777." 
"  My  dear  Sir,' 

"  Accept,  I  entreat  you,  of  my  most  cordial 
and  affectionate  gratitude,  for  your  care  of  my 
dear  son,  in  his  late  dangerous  illness.  1  shall 
never  forget  it.  And  pray  thank  his  kind  land- 
lady, and  his  fellow-students,  most  affectionately 
in  my  name,  for  their  kindness  to  him.  O  that 
I  had  it  in  my  power  to  reward  them  all !  My 
God,  however,  I  trust,  will.  I  most  aidently 
pray  He  may !  Give  my  love  to  Johnny,  My 
heart  is  too  full  to  write  to  him,  by  this  post ;  and 
he,  perhaps,  is  too  weak  to  read  a  letter  from  me. 
Tell  him  we  are  well !" 

"  With  great  respect,  I  am,  dear  Sir," 
"  your  sincere  friend," 

<^  Benjamin  Rush." 
'*  Rev.  Dr.  Mf/Zer." 

A  request  similar  to  that  which  is  above  re- 
corded, as  addressed  to  Doctor  Rush,  was  also 
addressed  to  the  reverend  Doctor  Livingston,  the 
venerable  President  of  Queens  College,  New- 

38 


298  His  general  Characier. 

Brunswick,  and  Professor  of  Theology  in  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church,  in  the  United  States, 
The  letter  from  which  the  following  extracts  are 
taken,  was  intended  as  an  apology  for  not  com- 
plying with  this  request ;  and  of  course,  was  not 
designed  for  publication.  But  it  is  presumed 
that  every  reader  will  concur  in  opinion  with  the 
compiler,  who  was  not  able  to  reconcile  it  either 
with  his  judgment  or  his  feelings,  to  conceal  from 
the  public  eye  such  paragraphs  as  these. 

"  With  affectionate  regard  and  tender  emo- 
tions I  attended  to  your  letter.  I  entered  fully 
into  your  meaning,  and  felt  happy  in  the  hope 
that  it  might  be  in  my  power,  in  some  measure, 
to  meet  your  wishes.  I  owe  to  you  a  compli- 
ance with  every  request.  I  owe  to  the  memory 
of  your  venerable  Colleague,  to  assist  in  render- 
ing the  history  of  his  exemplary  life  acceptable 
and  useful.  And  I  owe  to  the  cause  of  the  Di- 
vine Redeemer  to  suggest,  if  possible,  such  re- 
flections and  observations  as  ought  to  be  blended 
with  the  memoirs  of  a  man,  who  served  his  Lord 
so  long  with  diligence  and  success.  Under  the 
impression  of  all  these  motives,  which  upon 
reading  your  acceptable  favour,  were  indulged 
without  restraint,  I  immediately  viewed  the  sub- 


His  general  Character.  299 

ject,  with  an  ardent  desire  to  recollect  and  ar- 
range something  which  might  answer  your  ex- 
pectations. But  I  find  myself  disappointed.  The 
most  eminent  characters,  and  perhaps  the  most 
profitable  in  their  stations,  are,  for  the  greater 
part,  so  uniform  in  their  course,  and  exhibit  so  few 
changes,  that  there  is  scarcely  a  prominent  point 
to  be  discovered,  on  which  the  biographer  can 
rest,  or  an  insulated  spot  to  which  particular  re- 
marks can  suitably  apply." 

"  A  river  which  for  ever  flows  in  one  direction, 
"  and  is  always  of  the  same  depth,  without  a 
*'  cataract,  cascade,  or  angle,  is  justly  considered 
"  the  most  profitable  stream,  and  may  be  eulo- 
"  gized  as  a  source  of  wealth  in  commerce;  as  a 
"  treasure  to  a  nation  ;  but  it  can  never  employ 
"  the  detached  touches  of  the  pencil ;  it  absolutely 
"  evades  all  partial  descriptions." 


"  I  placed  my  old  Friend  full  before  me,  and 
viewed  him  distinctly  as  a  Man,  as  a  Christian, 
as  a  Divine,  and  as  a  Preacher.  In  every  article 
he  appeared  conspicuous,  amiable,  and  excel- 
lent ;  but  in  all  of  them  he  was  for  ever  the  same. 
One  general  encomium  compnses  the  whole,  and 
includes  all  that  can  be  said.     Few  of  the  human 


300  His  general  Character. 

family  have  passed  through  a  long  life  so  blame- 
less and  unimpeached,  so  undeserving  of  reproof, 
and  shielded  even  from  slander.  Few  of  the 
followers  of  Immanuel  have  lived  more  habitual- 
ly by  faith,  or  taken  up  their  cross  and  followed 
their  Master  with  more  cheerful  and  signal  obe- 
dience. Among  divines  there  may  be  those 
whose  opportunities  for  obtaining  information, 
whose  extensive  reading,  and  perhaps  stronger 
powers  of  mind,  have  rendered  them  superior 
to  him  in  science ;  but  there  are  not  many  who 
have  surpassed  him  in  clear  and  decisive  views 
of  the  doctrines  of  grace,  or  an  ardent  and  per- 
severing attachment  to  the  fundamental  truths  of 
the  gospel.  In  the  pulpit  there  are  prodigies  of 
eloquence,  men  who  soar  above  the  ordinary 
standard ;  whose  elocution,  energy,  and  pleasing 
address,  astonish  and  captivate  their  audience; 
but  these  of  necessity  must  be  few,  and  are  not 
always  the  most  powerful  or  successful  in  con- 
verting sinners,  or  edifying  believers.  Our  de- 
parted Friend  was  never  classed  among  celebra- 
ted orators.  An  impediment  in  pronouncing 
some  words  prevented  him  frequently  from  in- 
dulging in  a  full  and  uninterrupted  flow  of 
speech ;  but  he  was  always  in  earnest ;  he  believ- 
ed what  he  spoke  j  and  with  a  feeling  heart,  sus- 


His  general  Character,  301 

ceptible  of  tender  affections,  he  was,  especially 
when  in  the  prime  of  life,  an  impressive,  accept- 
able, and  excellent  preacher." 

"  As  to  anecdotes,  of  which,  in  a  series  of 
mutual  intercourse  for  nearly  half  a  century,  there 
must  have  occurred  many  that  would  be  worth 
preserving,  I  cannot  at  present  call  any  correctly 
to  remembrance,  or  at  least  sufficiently  recol- 
lect them,  in  their  striking  points,  to  attempt  a 
detail." 

In  compliance  with  request,  the  reverend- 
Mr.  Forrest f  a  respectable  minister  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Church,  made  the  following 
communication,  which  is  inserted  with  pleasure, 
as  another  valuable  attestation,  in  concurrence 
with  the  preceding. 

"  A  few  years  ago,  I  related  to  Dr.  Rodgers 
an  anecdote  of  a  Scots  clergyman,  who,  while 
preaching  from  these  words,  Heb,  xi.  32.  And 
what  shall  1  more  say  P  for  the  time  would  Jail 
me  to  tell  of  Gideon,  8cc.  observed,  "  My  breth- 
ren, here  are  some  very  rough-spun  saints  :  really, 
if  the  Spirit  of  God  had  not  decided  this  matter, 
it  would  have  been  hard  work  to  have  admitted 


^02  His  general  Character, 

them  among  the  number.  But,  my  brethren,  this 
teaches  us  that,  if  we  get  to  heaven,  we  will  see 
many  folks  there  that  we  did  not  expect."  Dr. 
Modgers  observed,  "  Yes,  my  friend,  I  expect  to 
*'  see  in  heaven  among  other  wonders,  three  very 
"  great  ones :  some  there  whom  I  did  not  ex- 
"  pect  to  have  seen  there ;  others  not  there, 
"  whom  I  had  great  expectations  of  seeing  there; 
"  but  the  greatest  wonder  of  all,  will  be,  to  see 
"  myself  there,  the  chief  of  sinners,  pardoned  and 
"  sanctified  through  the  grace  of  God !'' 


**  I  have  often  admired  the  talents  displayed 
by  Dr.  Rodgers,  while  he  presided  in  the  board 
of  Directors  of  the  Missionary  Society.  Having, 
in  my  younger  days,  been  often  led,  by  curiosity, 
to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  the  Synods  of  both 
branches  of  the  Secession,  I  may  be  allowed  to 
express  an  opinion  concerning  this  subject. 
Never  have  I,  in  any  of  these  courts,  seen  a  Mo- 
derator who  could  preserve  decorum,  interest  the 
members  of  court  in  the  business  before  them, 
and  command  the  respect  and  affection  of  mem- 
bers, equal  in  any  degree  to  Dr.  Rodgers*' 

"  I  am  not  in  communion  with  that   church 


His  (jeneral  Character.  303 

to  which  Dr.  K.  belonged,  and  never  had  an 
opportunity  of  hearing'  him  preach  more  than 
once.  My  acquaintance  with  him  commenced 
in  1802,  when  he  was  in  the  decUne  of  life;  but 
it  was  my  happiness  to  enjoy  his  private  conver- 
sation for  a  few  years ;  and  I  always  consider- 
ed him  as  a  singular  blessing  to  the  American 
church." 


Having  presented  these  testimonies,  from  differ- 
ent and  impartial  witnesses,  an  attempt  will  now 
be  made,  to  pourtray  those  remarkable  features 
in  the  character  ol  this  eminent  servant  of  Jesus 
Christ,  which  so  highly  distmguished  him,  and 
which  contributed  so  largely,  under  God,  both  to 
the  acceptance  and  the  utility  of  his  labours.  For 
it  is  a  fact  not  to  be  disguised,  that  the  reputation, 
the  influence,  and  the  usefulness  of  Doctor 
Rodders,  considered  jointly,  were  greater  than 
usually  fall  to  the  lot  of  one,  who  had  no  higher 
claims  than  he,  to  strong  and  original  powers  of 
mind,  and  to  profound  learning.  Shall  we  say, 
then,  that  his  reputation  was  undeserved ;  or  that 
it  rested  upon  an  unsubstantial  basis?  By  no 
means.  It  was  merited.  It  had  a  solid  founda- 
tion. And  it  may  not  be  altogether  without  be- 
nefit to  inquire,  nhi/  it  nas,  that  this  venerable 


304  His  general  Character. 

minister  of  the  gospel,  was  more  known,  more 
honoured,  more  influential,  both  in  the  church 
and  in  civil  society,  and  more  extensively  useful, 
than  many  other  clergymen,  who  ranked  higher 
on  the  scale  of  native  genius,  and  were  more  con- 
spicuous for  their  literary  acquirements  ?  This 
question  will  be  answered,  by  exhibiting  and 
illustrating  the  most  remarkable  features  of  his 
character,  under  a  series  of  heads. 

I.  And  here,  the  first  place  shall  be  assigned 

to  his  ARDENT  AND  UNIFORM  PIETY.    This  waS 

the  grand  ornament,  which  appeared  in  all  that 
he  said  or  did ;  and  which  shed  a  lustre  on  his 
character,  in  whatever  point  of  light  it  was  con- 
templated. Common  sense  dictates  to  every  man, 
that  the  minister  of  religion  ought  to  be  truly  re- 
liofious  ;  that  he  who  makes  it  the  business  of  his 
life  to  explain  the  doctrines,  enforce  the  pre- 
cepts, and  recommend  the  spirit,  of  Christ,  ought 
himself,  in  some  good  measure,  to  exemplify  what 
he  preaches,  in  his  own  temper  and  conduct. 
Accordingly,  as  the  evident  want  of  piety  is  one 
of  the  last  deficiencies,  that  can  or  ought  to  be 
pardoned  in  a  clergyman;  so  the  habitual  dis- 
play of  warm,  practical,  consistent  piety,  in  the 
sacred  profession,  is  of  more  importance  in  every 


His  general  Character.  306 

point  of  view  to  ministerial  reputation  and  useful- 
ness, than  is  generally  imagined.  The  pious  love 
it;  formal  professors  approve  it;  and  even  the  most 
determined  votaries  of  profligacy,  or  of  infide- 
lity, secretly  revere  it,  and,  like  Herod,  pay  it  a 
trembling  homage. 

Such  piety,  even  in  clergymen,  is  much  more  rare 
than  is  commonly  believed.  It  will  be  observed, 
the  assertion  is,  that  such  piety  is  more  rare. 
None  will  suppose  that  a  general  reflection  is 
intended  on  the  profession  of  which  the  writer  is 
a  member ;  and  still  less  that  he  imagines  him- 
self entitled  to  take  the  place  of  censor  among 
his  brethren.  But  fidelity  to  the  Master's  cause 
is  paramount  to  all  other  obligations.  "  The 
"  piety  of  some,"  as  a  late  excellent  biographer 
remarks,  "  is  official  rather  than  personal.  It 
"  consists  in  certain  exercises  and  appearances, 
"  which  are  resigned  with  the  occasions  that  re- 
"  quire  them  :  and  in  company  they  are  the  merry 
"  companions,  the  temporizing  associates ;  in  the 
"  house,  the  cruel  husbands,  the  negligent  fa- 
"  thers,  the  tyrannical  masters*."  The  piety  of 
a  much  larger  class  of  ministers,  though  real, 

*  Jay's  Life  of  Winter^  p.  230.  ./V*.  York  edition. 

39 


306  His  (/eneral  Character, 

sincere,  and  in  the  main,  exemplary,  is  still  mixed 
with  so  many  levities,  and  littlenesses,  and  ad- 
mits so  many  of  the  phrases,  the  habits,  and  the 
calculations  of  worldly  men,  into  their  language 
and  daily  deportment,  that  the  lustre,  both  of  the 
Christian  and  the  Ambassador  of  Christ,  cannot 
fail  of  being  obscured,  and  even  tarnished. 

But  we  have  reason  to  rejoice,  that  the  piety 
of  a  goodly  number  is  of  a  higher  order.  Their 
deportment  in  private,  corresponds  with  their  lan- 
guage in  pubhc.  Their  preaching  is,  in  some 
good  measure,  exemplified  in  their  lives.  They 
recommend  religion  as  much  on  the  other  six 
days  of  the  week,  as  on  the  sabbath.  Their  piety 
is  of  that  uniform,  unaffected,  impressive  charac- 
ter, which,  while  it  assumes  nothing,  is  seen 
wherever  they  go ;  which  combines  evangelical 
seriousness  with  simplicity,  benevolence,  and 
cheerfulness ;  which  exhibits  as  much  of  the 
meekness  and  humility  of  the  Christian,  as  of  hi& 
heavenly  mindedness;  and  which  continually 
shows  itself  to  originate  rather  from  the  heart 
than  from  the  office.  Such  a  character,  speaking 
after  the  manner  of  men,  is  irresistible.  It  is 
loved  by  the  good,  and  revered  by  all.  And 
while  the  frivolous  witlingr  and  the  profane  scorn- 


,  His  general  Character*  S07 

er,  may  occasionally  sneer  at  what  they  call  its 
"  strictness,"  and  its  "  puritanism,"  they  find  a  tes- 
timony in  their  own  consciences  in  its  favour.  They 
secretly  honour  it,  as  much  more  conformed  to 
the  spirit,  and  the  example  of  Christ,  than 
the  character  of  the  clerical  bon  vivant,  who  has 
no  other  mark  of  his  sacred  office  than  a  black 
dress ;  and  on  whom,  while  they  court  his  compa- 
ny in  the  hour  of  festivity  and  mirth,  they  bestow 
none  of  their  real  confidence  or  esteem* 

This  was  one  of  the  great  charms  of  Doctor 
Tlodgers  character.  The  fervour  and  uniform- 
ity of  his  piety  seldom  failed  to  impress  all  who 
approached  him.  It  not  only  appeared  con- 
spicuous in  the  pulpit;  dictating  his  choice  of 
subjects,  his  mode  of  treating  them,  and  his  af- 
fectionate earnestness  of  manner;  but  it  attend- 
ed him  wherever  he  went,  and  manifested  itself 
in  whatever  he  did.  In  the  house  of  mourn- 
ing it  shone  with  distinguished  lustre.  Nor  was 
this  all.  He  probably  never  was  known  to  enter 
u  human  dwelling,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  an 
ordinary  visit,  without  saying  something,  before 
he  left  it,  to  recommend  the  Saviour  and  his  ser- 
vice. Seldom  did  he  sit  down  at  the  convivial 
table,  without  dropping  at  least  a  few  sentences 


308  His  general  Character. 

adapted  to  promote  the  spiritual  benefit  of  those 
around  him.  The  transient  visitor ;  the  momenta- 
ry interview  in  the  street;  the  hasty  call  of  business  ^ 
the  ride  of  pleasure;  the  inquiry  respecting  the 
health  of  his  friends ;  the  answer  to  inquiries  res- 
pecting his  own  health;  the  mode  of  telling  and 
of  hearing  news ;  the  valedictory  benediction, 
— could  all  bear  witness  to  the  habitual  devotion 
and  spirituality  of  his  mind,  and  his  constant 
desire  to  be  active  in  his  Master^s  service.  In  all 
the  domestic  relations  of  life,  piety  pervaded  and 
regulated  his  conduct;  controllmg  a  temper  na- 
turally hasty  and  irascible,  and  prompting  to  the 
affectionate  courtesies  of  christian  benevolence. 
He  seemed  never,  for  a  moment,  to  forget  that 
he  was  a  servant  of  Jtsus  Christ;  a  minister  of 
Him  who  went  about  doing  good  to  the  souls  and 
bodies  of  men  ;  and  whose  meat  and  drink  it  was 
to  do  the  will  of  his  Father,  andjinish  his  work. 
The  writer  well  remembers  a  circumstance,  which, 
though  small  in  itself,  was  considered,  by  an  im- 
partial observer,  as  not  a  little  significant.  A 
youjig  clergyman,  who  had  paid  a  short  visit  to 
the  city,  and  who  had  enjoyed  two  or  three  plea- 
sant interviews  with  Doctor  Rodgers,  a  few  years 
before  his  death,  at  the  close  of  the  last  inter- 
view, rose  and  offered  him  his  hand  for  the  pur- 


His  general  Character,  309 

pose  of  bidding-  him  farewell.  The  Doctor 
took  it,  and  squeezing  it  affectionately,  with  a 
very  few  simple  words,  expressive  of  pious  hope, 
and  tender  benediction,  dismissed  him.  The 
clerg-yman,  on  retiring,  inquired,  whether  what 
he  had  just  witnessed  was  the  Doctor's  common 
manner  of  taking  leave  of  his  friends  ?  adding', 
that  he  had  seldom  seen  any  thing  so  much  like 
the  pious  and  primitive  style  of  an  apostle  be- 
fore. There  have  been  better  days  of  the  church, 
when  such  things  were  not  rare.  Would  to  God 
they  were  less  so  now  ! 

It  scarcely  need  be  added,  because  every 
one  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  vital  piety 
will  take  for  granted,  that  the  Doctor  was  ha- 
bitually attentive  to  those  means  which  God  is 
wont  to  bless  for  maintaining  the  power  of  re- 
ligion in  the  soul.  He  had  a  deep  impression 
of  the  efficacy  oi  prayer ;  and  he  abounded  in 
this  duty,  as  well  as  in  the  other  duties  of  the 
closet.  Besides  the  stated  and  ordinary  exer- 
cises of  devotion,  he  set  apart,  in  every  year,  a 
number  of  days  of  fasting  and  special  prayer. 
On  these  occasions,  as  was  observed  in  a  preced- 
ing chiipier,  he  was  accustomed,  as  a  means  of 
moie  deeply  impressing  his  own  mind,  to  com- 


310  His  general  Character, 

jnit  to  writing"  some  of  his  reflections  and  prayers, 
and  afterwards  to  review  them,  as  a  record  of  his 
former  exercises,  and  as  a  pledge  of  his  subse- 
quent fidelity. 

II.  Another  quality  in  Doctor  Rodgers,  which, 
next  to  his  piety,  contributed  to  his  high  reputa- 
tion, was  his  PRUDENCE.  By  prudence  here  is 
meant,  not  that  spirit  of  cold  and  carnal  calcula- 
tion, which  the  world  is  apt  to  call  by  this  re- 
spectable name,  but  which  the  apostle  styles 
conferring  with  flesh  and  blood,  and  which,  per- 
haps, can  be  expressed  by  no  single  word  more 
appropriate  than  that  of  cunning.  Prudence,  in 
the  scriptural  sense  of  the  term,  means  practi- 
cal WISDOM.  The  prudent  man,  in  the  esti- 
mation of  Solomon,  is  one  who  looketh  well  to  his 
goings;  who  openeth  his  mouth  with  rvisdom;  who 
foreseeth  the  evil,  and  hideth  himself.  The  wise 
in  heart  shall  be  called  prudent*.  Without  this 
qualification,  piety,  talents,  learning,  eloquence, 
may  be,  and  have  not  unfrequently  been  found 
to  be,  worse  than  useless.  It  is  so  important  to 
a  good  minister,  that  our  blessed  Lord  made 
a  pointed  reference  to  it  a  part  of  the  very  brief 

*  Proverbs  xiv.  15.    xvi.  21.  xxii.  3. 


His  genera  I  Character,  311 

exhortation  which  he  addressed  to  the  first  mi- 
nisters whom  He  sent  forth*.  And  perhaps  a 
venerable  clergyman  in  a  neighbouring  State, 
did  not  go  too  far,  when  he  said,  "  I  would  make 
a  deficiency  in  Prudence,  the  ground  of  quite 
as  serious  and  insurmountable  objection  against 
laying  hands  on  a  candidate  for  the  ministry, 
as  I  would  a  deficiency  in  piety  or  know- 
ledge.'^ 


u 

u 

te 

(6 


Doctor  Hodgers  was,  remarkably,  and  charac- 
teristically, a  prudent  man.  Few  men  were  more 
careful  to  look  well  to  their  goings  than  he.  Few 
men  were  more  wary  in  foreseeing  circumstan- 
ces likely  to  produce  embarrassment  or  difificulty, 
and  in  avoidinef  them.  Few  men  were  more 
cautious  of  giving  unnecessary  offence,  that  the 
ministry  might  not  he  blamed ;  or  more  watchful 
with  respect  to  all  those  modes  of  exhibiting 
truth,  or  of  perfonning  duty,  which  are  calcula- 
ted to  conciliate  the  differently  constituted  minds 
of  men.  His  prudence  was  daily  seen, — in 
denying  himself,  and  the  members  of  his  family, 
those  things  which,  though  innocent  in  them- 
selves, might  have  made  an  unfavourable  im- 

*  Matt,  X.  2€. 


312  His  general  Character, 

pression,  even  on  a  single  mind ;  in  the  regular 
and  economical  management  of  his  temporal  of- 
fairs  ;  in  avoiding  those  conne^vions  and  associa- 
tions, by  which  his  time  might  have  been  injurious- 
ly consumed, or  his  attentions  painfully  entangled; 
in  parrying,  with  a  mixture  of  dignity  and  gentle- 
ness, every  attack,  in  mixed  companies,  which 
might  have  led  to  controversy/,  especially  rel(/iOus 
controversy,  which  he  thought  seldom  failed  of 
proving   both    unpleasant  and  mischievous;    in 
dealing  gently  with  the  prepidices  and  the  pas- 
sions  of  men ;  in  being  sivift  to  hear,  and  slow  to 
speak;    in  treating  character  with  delicacy,  es- 
pecially the  character  of  the   absent ;  in   taking 
care  to  hold  in  awe,  and  to  prevent,  rather  than 
be  under  the  necessity  of  rej^roving,  impertinence, 
profaneness,  and    noisy  mirth ;  in  turning  to  the 
best  account  the    amount    of    knowledofe   that 
he  possessed,  and  forbearing  to  talk  on  subjects 
"with  which  he  was  imperfectly  or  but  little  acquaint- 
ed ;  in  guarding  against  that  propensity  to  incessant 
jesting,  in   promiscuous  company,  which  lowers 
the  character  of  so  many  respectable  clergymen ; 
in  careful  attention  to  the  character  of  the  anec- 
dotes which  he  related  in  social  circles ;  in  keep- 
ing at  a  distance,  without  offending,  the  over-cu- 
rious, the  indelicate,  and  the  intruding ;  in  al- 


His  general  Character*  310 

ways  preferring",  where  there  could  not  be  una™ 
nimity  of  opinion,  that  course  which  tended  to 
peace  and  accommodation ;  in  taking  care  to  se- 
lect favourable  seasons  and  methods  of  adminis- 
tering reproof;  and,  in  short,  in  constantly  en- 
deavouring to  avoid  as  much  evil,  and  accom- 
plish as  nmch  good,  with  as  little  offence  to  those 
around  him,  and  as  much  to  their  acceptance,  as 
possible.  Hence  he  was  able  to  do  a  thousand 
things  without  exciting  the  least  resentment, 
which  many  others  could  not  have  accomphshed 
without  encountering  the  most  determined  oppo^ 
sition  and  animosity.  And  hence  he  rarely  found 
himself  in  those  perplexing  and  painful  situations, 
to  which  the  indiscreet  and  unwary  are  so  fre- 
quently reduced,  to  the  interruption  of  their  own 
peace,  and  to  the  discredit  of  religion. 

Some  of  the  friends  of  Doctor  Rodgers,  in- 
deed, sometimes  supposed  that  he  carried  his 
prudence  to  an  extreme ;  that  his  caution  some- 
times degenerated  into  timidity  ;  and  that  his 
fear  of  giving  offence,  not  unfrequently  led 
him  to  fall  in  with  the  opinions  and  the  mea- 
sures of  others,  where  his  own  would  have 
been  evidently  preferable.  To  assert  that  he 
was  perfectly  free  from  this  fault ;  or  that  any 

40 


314  His  general  Character. 

man  remarkable  for  his  prudence,  was  ever  per- 
fectly free  from  it,  would  be  venturing,  perhaps, 
too  far.  But  scarcely  any  two  individuals  would, 
probably,  in  all  cases,  agree  as  to  the  proper  place 
and  limits  of  the  exercise  of  prudence.  In  the 
estimation  of  some  ardent  spirits,  all  caution  is 
timidity ;  all  accommodation,  trimming ;  and 
every  thing  called  prudence,  mere  cold  and 
calculating  servility.  This  was  not  the  opin- 
ion of  Doctor  Rodger s.  Next  to  the  gene- 
ral principle  of  vital  piety,  prudence  was  his 
favourite  grace :  and  it  must  be  acknowledged, 
that  he  exercised  it  with  no  ordinary  success. 

III.  A  third  quality  for  which  this  venerable 
man  was  remarkable,  and  which,  no  doubt,  con- 
tributed largely  to  his  high  reputation,  was,  the 

UNIFORM,  PERSEVERING,  AND  INDEFATIGA- 
BLE CHARACTER  OF  HIS  MINISTERIAL.  LA- 
BOURS. Some  men  are  not  capable  of  steady  and 
long  continued  application  to  the  same  pursuits. 
They  grow  weary  of  the  regular  progress  of  things 
in  their  ordinary  course;  and  can  only  be  interest- 
ed by  new  plans  and  undertakings,  with  which  they 
become  dissatisfied  in  their  turn,  and  exchange 
them  for  others.  Few  things  are  more  apt  to  inter- 
fere with  the  attainment  of  great  excellence,  in  any 


His  general  Character,  315 

profession,  and  especially  in  the  clerical  profes- 
sion, than  this  weakness.  It  frequently  places 
real  genius  and  fervent  piety  in  a  much  lower 
station,  in  public  opinion,  and  especially  in  pub- 
lic usefulness,  than  is  held  by  decidedly  inferior 
gifts,  with  a  capacity  for  patient  and  steady  ex- 
ertion. In  fact,  this  capacity,  though,  like  com- 
mon sense,  it  is  too  apt  to  be  considered  as  an  hum- 
ble qualification,  and  to  be  denied  an  honoura- 
ble name  ;  is  one  of  the  most  important  ta- 
lents that  can  well  be  mentioned,  in  a  character 
destined  to  enjoy  a  high  and  solid  reputation, 
and  to  be  extensively  useful  to  mankind. 

Doctor  Rodgers  possessed  and  exercised  this 
talent  in  a  remarkable  degree.  In  preaching, 
in  catechising,  in  attending  on  the  sick  and  dy- 
ing, in  all  the  arduous  labours  of  discipline  and 
government,  and  in  visiting  from  house  to  house, 
he  went  on  with  unceasing  constancy,  year  after 
year,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  his  minis- 
try. He  not  only  abounded  in  ministerial  labours; 
but  he  laboured  systematically,  uniformly,  and  with 
unwearied  patience.  Difficulties  did  not  usually 
appal  him.  Delays  did  not  discourage  him.  If  he 
were  totally  disappointed  in  the  result  of  his  ex- 
ertions in  one  case,  he  did  not  hastily  conclude, 


316  His  yeneral  Characler, 

that  all  subsequent  endeavours  in  similar  cases 
would  be  useless.     Nay,  if  he  failed  of  attaining 
his  wishes,  ninety  and   nine  times,  he  did  not 
shrink  from  the  hundredth  attempt.     Those  who 
found  him  busily  engaged  in  pursuing  a  certain 
regular  and   judicious  course,  at  one  period ; 
would  be  sure  to  find  him,  after  a  series  of  years, 
pursuing,  with  steady  and  undeviating  steps,  the 
same  course.     In  short,  as  his  learned  and  ex- 
cellent friend.  Doctor  Livingston^  observes,  he 
was,  literally,  "  for  ever  the  samu."    Or  we 
may  say  of  him,  in  nearly  the  same  language 
which  an  admirable  evangelical  biographer,  now 
living,  applies  to  his  pious  and  laborious  hero. 
"  Here  was  a  man,  for  seventy  years,  unchangea- 
"  ble  in  all  the  varieties  of  life ;  by  the  grace  of 
^'  God,  holding  on  his  way,  without  drawing  back, 
"  or  turning  aside,  or  standing  still,  or  seeming 
^*  to  come  short ;  what  the  Scripture  calls  a  per- 
'^  feci  and  an  upright  man,  one  that  feareth  God, 
^*  and  escheweth  evil*.''  No  wonder  that  a  man  of 
this  character,  enjoyed  in  a  very  high  degree  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him.     No 
wonder  that  the  churches  beheld  him,  through  his 
long  and  2^ctive  life,  with  growing  reverence ;  and 

*  Jay's  Life  pf  JFinter,  p.  231. 


His  general  Character.  317 

that  his  brethren  regarded  hina  as  a  kind  of  cleri- 
cal pattern.  Such  characters  may  be  less  talked 
about  than  some  others  3  they  may  not  see  the 
painter*s  or  the  sculptor's  art  employed  to  per- 
petuate the  record  of  their  particular  achieve- 
ments ;  but  they  have  been,  in  all  ages,  the 
chief  benefactors  of  mankind.  They  have  been 
the  means  of  performing,  in  all  nations,  the  great- 
er part  of  the  solid  good  that  has  been  done. 
And,  while  prodigies  of  genius  have  soared  and 
fallen ;  while  intellectual  and  moral  comets  have 
astonished  and  disappeared;  fAe?/ have  held  on  their 
steady  course,  from  day  to  day,  and  from  year  to 
year,  enlightening,  warming,  and  blessing  the 
world. 

lY.  K  fourth  particular  which  contributed  to 
the  high  station  of  Doctor  Rodgers,  in  public 
opinion,  and  especially  in  the  confidence  of  the  pi- 
ous part  of  the  community,  was  the  character 
OF  HIS  PREACHING.  The  two  qualities  most  re- 
markable in  his  preaching,  were  piety  and  ani- 
mation.  His  sermons  were  always  rich  in  evan- 
gelical truth  ',  and  they  were  generally  delivered 
with  a  solemnity  and  earnestness,  which  indicat- 
ed a  deep  impression  on  his  own  heart  of  the 
importance  of  what  he  uttered.      And  hence. 


318  His  general  Charactei\ 

though  he  was  never  remarkable  for  that  variety ^ 
either  in  the  choice,  or  the  illustration  of  his  sub- 
jects, which  some  would  have  preferred ,  and 
thouofh  he  never  g^ave  himself  the  trouble  to  at- 
tain  that  polish  and  elegance  of  style,  to  which 
many  bend  a  large  share  of  their  attention ;  still, 
in  the  days  of  his  vigour,  he  was  one  of  the  most 
popular  as  well  as  useful  preachers  in  the  Ame- 
rican Church. 

It  was  said  that  his  sermons  were  rich  in 
evangelical  truth.  The  subjects  which  he  al- 
ways treated  in  the  pulpit,  were  those  peculiar 
and  precious  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  which  uni- 
versal experience  proves  to  be  most  acceptable 
and  edifying  to  the  pious,  and  most  impressive 
on  the  mass  of  hearei-s.  Whoever  went  to  hear 
him,  at  any  time,  would  be  sure  to  find  him 
dwelling  chiefly  on  one  or  another  of  the  follow- 
ing themes — The  federal  character  of  Adam,  as 
the  covenant  head  of  his  seed — the  imputation 
of  his  sin,  when  he  fell,  to  all  his  posterity — the 
lost  and  ruined  state  of  man  by  nature — the  doc- 
trine of  total  depravity — the  doctrine  of  sovereign 
election  to  eternal  life,  through  sanctijication  of 
the  Spirit,  unto  obedience — the  true  and  proper 
Divinity  of  Jesus  Christ — the  Divine  existence  in 


His  general  Character*  319 

a  Trinity  of  Persons — the  vicarious  sacrifice  and 
atonement  of  the  Saviour — the  doctrine  of  Justi- 
fication by  his  imputed  righteousness  alone — the 
nature  and  necessity  of  regeneration,  by  the  Holy 
Spirit — the  necessity  of  a  vital  union  to  Jesus 
Christ,  by  faith,  in  order  to  our  partaking  of  the 
benefits  of  his  redemption — the  distinguishing 
character  of  those  who  stand  in  this  relation  to 
the  Saviour,  together  with  their  privileges  and 
duties — the  efficacy  of  prayer — the  nature  and 
properties  of  faith,  repentance,  hope,  and  charity 
— the  perseverance  and  final  glorification  of  the 
saints — and  the  endless  punishment  of  those  who 
die  impenitent. — On  these  great  and  fundamental 
doctrines  of  scripture,  he  not  only  dwelt  much, 
but  almost  exclusively.  He  seldom  travelled  out 
of  this  plain  track;  not  because  he  was  unable; 
but  because  early  and  constant  habit  had  render- 
ed it  most  familiar  to  him;  because  he  verily 
thought  it  the  most  profitable  course  of  public  in- 
struction ;  and  because  his  practice  of  memoriter 
speaking,  rendered  it  more  easy  for  him  to  pre- 
pare discourses  on  these  systematical  topics, 
than  on  those  of  a  different  kind.  To  which  may 
be  added,  that  his  unwearied  devotedness  to  the 
active  duties  of  his  profession,  during  the  greater 
part  of  his  life,  left  him  but  little  time  for  study ; 


320  His  general  Character. 

and,  of  course,  but  little  leisure  for  attempts  to 
entertain  his  hearers  with  originality,  with  pro- 
found criticism,  with  novelty,  or  with  elegance  of 
composition. 

And  as  the  Doctor  seldom  preached  on  other 
subjects  than  those  which  have  been  mentioned : 
so  he  adopted  that  method  of  handling  them, 
which  is  most  common  in  the  writings  of  the 
Puritan    divines    of   the    seventeenth    century. 
Owen,    Charnock,  Flavel,  Howe,   Bates,  Bax- 
ter, and  Henry,  were  among  his  favourite  wri- 
ters.    He  was  fond,  not  only  of  their  modes  of 
thinking,  but  also  of  speaking ;  and,  accordingly, 
abounded  much  in  what  may  be  called  the  tech- 
nical language  of  doctrinal  and  practical  reli- 
gion in  use  in  their  day.      It  was  his  opinion,  that 
evangelical  doctrines  ought  not  only  to  be  preach- 
ed, and  preached  incessantly ;  but  that  they  ought 
also  to  be  expressed  in  those  terms  and  phrases 
to  which  the   church  has  been  long  used,  and 
which  are  derived  either  from  the  scriptures  them- 
selves, or  from  the  earliest,  soundest,  and  best 
known,  human  authorities.     This  opinion  regu- 
lated his  own  practice.     No  one  ever  found  him 
affecting  novelty,  in  the  representations  which  he 
gave  of  divine  truth,  either  with  respect  to  their 


His  general  Character,  321 

substance  or  their  modes  of  expression,  because 
he  considered  the  old  as  better  ;  and  in  the  old 
track  he  was  found  for  ever  walking. 

These  circumstances,  in  their  combined  influ- 
ence, gave  to  his  preaching  pecuhar  weight  and 
popularity.  He  selected  precisely  that  plan  of 
sermonizing  which  was  best  adapted  to  his  own 
talents,  and  best  calculated,  at  once,  to  suit  the 
mass  of  hearers,  and  to  answer  the  great  end  of 
preaching.  A  greater  variety  in  the  choice  of 
subjects,  and  more  attention  to  polish  of  style, 
would  no  doubt  have  pleased,  perhaps  edified,  a 
small  number  of  those  who  attended  on  his  minis- 
trations. But  had  he  attempted  this,  he  would  pro- 
bably have  lost  a  portion  of  that  simple,  affection- 
ate, apostolical  manner,  which  so  remarkably  cha- 
racterized his  pulpit  addresses,  and  which  so  evi- 
dently inspired  the  confidence,  and  impressed  the 
hearts  of  those  classes  oi  hearers,  whose  support  al- 
ways affords  the  most  durable  basis  of  ministerial 
reputation,  as  well  as  usefulness.  No  man  ever 
enjoyed  a  very  extensive  or  enviable  ciegree  of 
popularity,  as  a  Gospel  Minister,  whose  sermons 
were  exclusively  ada|)ted  to  the  literary  and  po- 
lished part  of  his  hearers.     The  wonderful  im- 

41 


322  His  general  Character. 

pression  of  WhiteJielcTs  preaching  may  be  ascrib- 
ed to  the  plainness  and  evangelical  simplicity  of 
his  matter,  which  was  equally  suited  to  all  classes, 
taken  in  connexion  with  the  unrivalled  force  and 
magic  of  his  delivery. 

V.  This  venerable    servant  of   Jesus  Christ 
was  also   distinguished    and    honoured   for  his 

GREAT  DISINTERESTEDNESS  OF  CHARACTER, 

Of  him  it  might  be  said  with  eminent  propriety, 
that  he  sought,  not  his  owriy  but  the  things  which 
ctre  Jesus  Christ's.  Few  men  have  ever  been  more 
free  from  private  and  selfish  aims,  in  acting  their 
part  in  the  affairs  of  the  church,  than  he.  His  plans, 
his  calculations,  his  conduct,  were  ever  those  of 
a  man  whose  grand  object  was  the  advancement, 
not  of  himself,  or  of  a  party,  but  of  the  Redeem- 
er's kingdom.  Of  ecclesiastical  policy,  other 
than  that  which  sought  to  promote  the  peace,  the 
order,  the  purity,  the  extension,  and  the  happi- 
ness of  the  church,  by  the  most  fair,  direct,  and 
honourable  means,  he  evidently  knew  nothing. 
In  petty  schemes  for  diminishing  the  influence  of 
his  brethren,  that  he  might  increase  his  own ;  or 
in  the  aUs  of  intrigue,  to  play  off  contending  par- 
ties, or  individuals,  as  engines  for  promoting  his 
personal  elevation,  he  was  never  suspected  of  en- 


His  general  Character.  523 

gagfing".    He  was  ever  ready,  where  an  imperious 
sense  of  duty  did  not  forbid  it,  to  sacrifice  his  own 
feelings  and  wishes  to  the  union  and  harmony  of 
the  church.  He  was  always  a  peace-maker;  never 
a  divider.  His  plans  were  invariably  those  of  chris^ 
tian  benevolence.     "  No  banner  was  ever  raised 
"  in  his  camp,  but  that  of  the  cross."    From  envy 
and  jealousy  he  was  remarkably  free.      He  re- 
joiced in  the  honour  and  success  of  his  brethren. 
And  when,  toward  the  close  of  life,  some  of  the 
young  men,  whom  he  had  been  instrumental  in 
introducing  into  the  ministry,  enjoyed  a  degree 
of  popularity  which  might  be  said,  in  a  degree, 
to  eclipse  his  own;    his  most  intimate  friends 
never  saw  him  manifest  on  this  account  the  small- 
est uneasiness.      On  the  contrary,  he  appeared 
to  take  unfeigned  pleasure  in  witnessing  the  ac- 
ceptance of  their  labours,  and  in  contributmg  to 
raise,  rather  than  depress  their  reputation.     He 
seemed  ever  ready,  with  the  spirit,  to  adopt  the 
language,  of  that  faithful  Servant  of  God,  who 
said,  of  a  Greater  than  himself,— //e  must  increase^ 
hut  I  must  decrease. 

While  this  temper  carried  with  it  its  own  re- 
ward, in  the  personal  comfort  which  it  produced  3 
it  could  not  fail  to  promote  the  honour,  and  ex- 


324  TTis  general  Character, 

tend  the  influence,  of  its  possessor.  No  man  ever 
exhibited,  in  a  remarkable  degree,  the  qualities 
of  disinterestedness  and  magnanimity,  without 
being  followed  by  the  public  eye  with  confidence 
and  affection.  Every  one  who  is  conscious  that 
his  own  views  are  pure,  hails  such  a  man  as  a 
brother:  every  one  who  wishes  well  to  Zion, 
rejoices  in  his  peace,  his  prosperity,  and  his  ele- 
vation. 

VI.  It  would  be  injustice,  both  to  the  cause  of 
religion,  and  to  the  memory  of  this  excellent  man, 
to  omit  calling  the  attention  of  the  reader  parti- 

culailv      to      THE    SPOTLESS    PURITY     OF     HIS 

MORAL  CHARACTER.  It  might  seem,  at  first 
view,  scarcely  necessary,  or  even  proper,  to  men- 
tion this  apart  from  the  fervour  and  uniformity 
of  his  piety,  before  noticed.  But  when  we  recol- 
lect that  some  who  have  professed  a  warm  friend- 
ship for  vital  piety,  and  who  claimed  to  possess 
it,  have  manifested  a  disposition,  in  theory  as  well 
as  in  practice,  to  depreciate  morality  j  and  when 
we  call  to  mind  how  often  ministers  and  others, 
in  the  main  hopefully  pious,  have  had  the  lustre 
of  their  reputation  obscured,  and  the  extent  of 
their  usetuhiess  abridged,  by  real  or  supposed 
deviations  from  moral  correctness  ^  it  would  be 


His  general  Character.  325 

improper  to  pass  without  distinct,  and  very  ho- 
nourable notice,  the  peculiar  excellence  in  this 
respect  of  the  character  which  we  are  now  con- 
templating. 

The  writer  presumes  that  none,  who  were 
acquainted  with  Doctor  Rodgers,  will  charge 
him  with  extravagance,  when  he  expresses  an 
opinion,  that  no  man  ever  passed  through  a  life 
of  eighty-four  years  with  a  more  immaculate 
moral  character  than  he.  In  no  one  instance 
was  it  ever  impeached.  It  pleased  his  Divine 
Master,  as  Doctor  Livingston  justly  observes,  in 
his  letter  before  quoted,  to  "  shield  him  even 
from  slander.'*  Considering  the  unusual  activi- 
ty, as  well  as  length  of  his  life ;  his  constant 
intercourse  with  all  classes  of  persons;  and 
the  diversified  and  trying  situations  in  which 
he  was  frequently  placed, — that  the  lustre  of  his 
reputation  should  never  have  been,  at  any  period, 
sullied,  even  by  the  breath  of  suspicion,  is  truly  an 
extraordinarv  case,  and  worthv  of  beinsT  contem- 
plated  with  grateful  pleasure  by  every  friend  to 
the  honour  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  The 
influence  of  this  fact,  in  securing  to  hnn  an  un- 
common share  of  public  conlidence,  need  not  be 


326  His  general  Char  acter. 

mentioned.  In  truth,  it  could  not  fail  of  giving* 
to  Iiis  character  that  kind  of  colossal  tirmness, 
as  well  as  elevation,  which  all  those  who  were 
accustomed  to  hear  his  name  mentioned  in  com- 
pany, perceived  it  to  have  acquired. 

VII.  Doctor  Rodgers  was  further  distinguished 
by   a  PUNCTUAL  attendance  on  the  ju- 
dicatories OF  THE  CHURCH.     Perhaps  no 
minister  in  the  United  States   was  ever  more  re- 
markable than  he  for  a  regular  and  strict  regard 
to  this  part  of  his  duty.     He  made  it  a  point 
never  to  be  absent  from  the  meetings    of  his 
brethren,  unless  sickness,  or  some  other  equally 
imperious  dispensation  of  Providence,  rendered 
his    attendance    impossible.       And    when    pre- 
sent,   in    the   several   ecclesiastical    courts,    he 
gave  his  serious  and  undivided  attention  to  the 
business  which  came  before  them ;  and  was  al- 
ways ready  to  take  his  full  share,  and  more  than 
his  share,  of  the  labour  connected  with  that  bu- 
siness.    In  short,  the  same  zeal  for  the  welfare 
of  the  church  ;  the  same  desire  to  spend  and  be 
spent  in  his  Master's  service,  which  animated 
hun  in  every  other  department  of  labour,  guided 
and  governed  him  here.     The  consequence  was, 
that  he  became  personally  known  to  almost  all 


His  general  Character,  827 

his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  of  his  own  denomi- 
nation, in  the  United  States;  that  he  enjoyed 
their  friendship  and  confidence;  that  he  kept  up 
a  connected  and  thorough  acquaintance  with  the 
affairs  of  the  church  ;  that  he  contributed  to 
strengthen  the  hands  of  those  with  whom  he  act- 
ed ;  and  that,  thus,  the  sphere,  both  of  his  honour 
and  his  usefulness,  was  greatly  extended.  The 
aggregate  value  of  advantage,  which  all  these  cir- 
cumstances gave  him,  in  the  course  of  a  ministry 
of  between  sixty  and  seventy  years,  may  be  more 
easily  imagined  than  ascertained. 

He  was  accustomed  often  to  lament  the 
negligence  of  this  duty  which  he  observed  in 
many  of  his  brethren ;  and  to  remark,  that  he 
was  persuaded  they  did  not  appreciate  as 
they  ought  the  importance,  both  to  themselves 
and  the  church,  of  a  regular  attendance  on  judi- 
catories. He  more  than  once  declared,  that  he 
never  knew  any  minister  attain  to  a  large  share 
of  influence  or  weight  among  his  brethren,  who 
was  habitually  negligent  of  such  attendance. 
Nay,  he  thought  it,  from  the  very  nature  of  the 
case,  impossible  that  any  one  ever  should.  And 
there  are,  probably,  few  points  concerning  which 


328  His  general  Character, 

all  the  experience  of  ecclesiastical  men  more  deci- 
sively concm's,  than  in  supporting  this  opinion*. 

YIIL  The  orreat  liberality  of  sentiment 
which  Dr.  Rodgers  habitually  discovered,  en- 
deared him  to  thousands,  and  contributed  not  a 
little  to  the  extension  of  his  influence.  Though 
he  w^as  a  firm  Presbyterian,  and  a  decided  Cal- 
vinist,  he  was  far,  very  far,  from  being  a  bigot. 
While  he  abhorred  latitudinarian  indifference, 
and  was  ever  ready  to  contend  earnestly  for  the 
faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints ;  he  was  quite 
as  ready,  at  the  same  time,  to  take  by  the  hand, 

*  The  writer  cannot  forbear  introducing  a  similar  de- 
claration made  by  a  Divine  now  living,  whose  opportuni- 
ties to  make  observations  on  this  subject,  have  been  of  the 
best  kind,  and  whose  character,  with  all  who  know  him, 
-will  add  weight  to  his  opinions.  "  No  minister  in  our  con- 
"  nexion  has  been  known  by  me,  who  was  either  very  use- 
"  ful  or  very  respectable,  that  did  not  give  his  presence  at 
"  Presbytery,  Synod,  or  Assembly,  whenever  that  duty  be- 
<'  came  incumbent.  The  reason  of  this  sceins  to  be,  that 
"  a  neglect  in  this  particular  cannot  take  place  without  in- 
"  dicating  in  him  who  is  chargeable  with  it,  a  criminal 
"  want  of  zeal  for  the  general  interests  of  the  church  ;  and 
"  at  the  same  time,  it  necessarily  deprives  him  of  all  gene- 
"  ral  influence,  confidence,  esteem,  and  affection  among  his 
«  brethren."  Dr.  Green's  Charg-ej  at  the  Ordinatioii  of 
Mr.  J.  B.  Linn,  and  others,  1799. 


His  general  Character.  329 

as  christian  brethren,  all  who  appeared  to  possess 
the  Spirit  of  Christ,  by  whatever  name  they  were 
called,  or  however  they  might  differ  from  him 
with  respect  to  minor  articles  of  belief.  He  sel- 
dom mentioned  the  opinions  of  others  in  the  pul- 
pit ;  but  contented  himself  with  declaring,  illus- 
trating, and  endeavouring  to  recommend,  what 
he  believed  to  be  the  doctrines  of  scripture. 
And,  on  one  occasion,  when  he  was  urged  by 
some  of  the  officers  of  his  church  to  preach 
against  the  errors  of  a  particular  sect,  and  to 
warn  his  people  against  them,  by  name,  he  utter- 
ly refused,  sayiug, — **  Brethren,  you  must  excuse 
"  me.  I  cannot  reconcile  it  with  my  sense  either 
"  of  policy  or  duty  to  oppose  these  people  from 
"  the  pttlpit,  otherwise  than  by  preaching  the 
"  truth  plainly  and  faithfully.  I  believe  them  to 
"  be  in  eiTor ;  but  let  us  out-preach  them,  out- 
"  pray  them,  and  out-live  them,  and  we  need  not 
*'  fear." 

It  might  have  been  supposed,  that  toward  one 
denomination,  from  which,  as  will  be  seen  from 
the  foregoing  pages,  he  had  received,  at  different 
times,  treatment  of  which  he  had  reason  to  com- 
plain, he  would  have  been  apt  to  cherish  senti- 
ments of  fixed  animosity.      But  it  was  not  so. 

42 


330  His  general  Character, 

He  often  spoke  of  his  Episcopal  brethren  in  terms 
of  the  most  exemplary  christian  benevolence ;  and 
appeared  cordially  to  rejoice,  when  he  heard 
that  the  work  of  the  Lord  prospered  among  them, 
in  any  part  of  the  world.  He  had  many  affec- 
tionate friends  of  the  Episcopal  church.  He  was 
in  the  constant  habit  of  visiting  a  number  of  fa- 
milies belonging  to  that  church.  And  when  he 
met  with  an  Episcopalian  who  appeared  to  love 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesiis,  he  seemed  to  forget  all 
distinction  of  names,  and  to  feel  as  if  he  had 
found  a  brother,  with  whom  he  took  as  sweet 
counsel  as  if  he  had  belonged  to  his  own  com- 
munion. 

In  this,  as  well  as  in  other  graces,  he  evident- 
ly grew,  as  he  advanced  in  life.  And  toward 
the  close  of  it,  he  seemed  to  take  unfeigned  and 
ardent  pleasure  in  the  belief,  that  every  person,  with 
whom  he  fell  in  company,  who  spoke  seriously, 
and  with  apparent  emotion  on  the  subject  of  re- 
ligion, was  a  real  christian.  It  was  pleasing,  even 
when  there  was  reason  to  fear  that  he  carried  his 
favourable  estimate  too  far,  to  see  with  what  eager 
delight  he  recognized  every  thing  which  resembled 
piety,  in  the  numerous  individuals  with  whom  he 
conversed ;  and  how  ready  he  was  to  embrace  in  the 


His  general  Character.  331 

arms  of  christian  affection,  all  persons,  of  all  sects, 
who  manifested  any  thing  like  sincere  love  to  the 
Lord  Jesus. 

IX.  In  tracing  the  remarkable  features  in  the 
character  of  this  man  of  God,  it  would  be  im- 
proper to  pass  without  notice,  his  temper  and 
habits  WITH  respect  to  worldly  proper- 
ty. It  was  supposed  by  some,  that  an  undue  love 
of  money,  as  well  as  an  irascible  temper,  was 
among  his  natural  infirmities.  If  this  were  so, 
it  is  certain  that,  by  the  grace  of  God,  he  had 
gained  the  victory  over  both,  in  a  remarkable  de- 
gree. Few  men,  in  his  circumstances,  have  con- 
trived to  give  away  so  much  in  charity,  espe- 
cially to  the  sick  poor,  whom  he  constantly  visit- 
ed. He  seldom  went  into  the  house  of  such  a 
person,  without  closing  the  religious  exercises 
which  attended  the  interview,  by  a  donation  from 
his  purse.  Though  he  passed  through  a  period, 
during  his  residence  in  New-York,  in  which 
speculation  in  stock,  lands,  &c.  was  carried  on 
with  a  spirit,  and  to  an  extent,  altogether  unpre- 
cedented in  this  country,  and  scarcely  equalled 
in  any  other:  yet  he  was  enabled  wholly  to  re- 
sist the  fascination  of  the  day,  and  to  keep  him- 
self free  from  an  entanglement  so  unworthy  of  a 


332  His  general  Character. 

gospel  minister.  It  is  observable  also,  that,  when  in 
company,  he  scarcely  ever  allowed  himself  to 
converse  on  a  subject  so  common  in  a  commer- 
cial community.  In  the  society  of  his  most  con- 
fidential friends,  he  appeared  always  to  feel  as  if 
he  had  something  infinitely  more  important  to  talk 
of,  than  the  price  of  stocks,  or  the  most  eligible 
methods  of  investing  money.  And,  in  corres- 
pondence with  these  facts,  it  is  certain,  that, 
with  all  the  regularity  and  vigilance  of  his  econ- 
omy, and  without  meeting  with  any  particular 
loss  sufficiently  large  to  account  for  such  a  result, 
he  left,  at  his  decease,  less  property  than,  forty-six 
years  before,  he  had  brought  to  the  city. 

The  writer  feels  the  more  ready  to  mention 
this  trait  in  the  character  of  Dr.  Rodgers^  because 
it  has  attracted  the  notice  of  others,  as  well  as  of 
himself.  A  distinguished  Layman,  at  a  distance, 
who  intimately  knew,  and  higlily  honoured  him, 
in  a  private  letter,  addressed  to  the  writer,  re- 
marks, "  I  hope  you  will  not  forget  to  dilate 
"  freely  upon  his  voluntary  and  meritorious  com- 
"  parative  poverty,  at  a  time  when  even  Clergy^ 
<*  men  have  been  infected  with  the  dollar-mania 
^f  of  our  country." 


His  general  Character.  383 

It  is  notorious  that  the  sin  of  avarice,  where  it 
has  been  allowed  to  take  a  firm  and  governing 
hold  of  the  mind,  is  one  of  those  which  are  pecu- 
liarly apt  to  grow  stronger  with  age,  and  to  reign 
with  a  melancholy  force  in  the  decline  of  life. 
It  was  directly  the  reverse  with  the  subject  of 
these  memoirs.  Toward  the  close  of  life  he  was 
raised  above  a  secular  spirit  more  than  ever.  And 
during  the  two  or  three  last  years  that  he  lived, 
it  is  a  fact,  that  he  seemed  to  have  lost  all  sense 
of  the  value  of  money,  excepting  as  a  means  of 
relieving  the  distress  and  promoting  the  happi- 
nens  of  those  around  him.  During  that  period 
he  distributed  the  contents  of  his  purse,  with  a 
profusion  altogether  extravagant;  insomuch  that, 
if  the  members  of  his  family  had  not  prevented 
him,  he  would  have  given  away  every  farthing 
that  came  into  his  possession. 

X.  Another  feature  deserving  of  notice,  in  the 
character  of  this  excellent  Minister,  is,  that  he 
WAS  NO  POLITICIAN.  It  is  true,  that  during 
the  revolutionary  war,  he  did  not  attempt  to  stand 
on  neutral  ground ;  but  took  part  openly  and  de- 
cisively in  favour  of  his  country.  And  there  can 
be  no  doubt  that,  in  a  similar  exigency,  at  any 
period,  he  would  have  thought  himself  perfectly 


334  Mis  general  Character* 

justifiable  in  acting"  a  similar  part.  Yet  it  is 
certain,  that  for  a  number  of  years  prior  to  that 
contest,  and  from  the  establishment  of  the  inde- 
pendence of  his  country,  till  the  day  of  his  death, 
he  never  allowed  himself  to  appear  as  a  party-po- 
litician,  or  to  connect  his  name,  or  his  influence, 
with  either  side,  in  the  successive  struggles  which 
divided  his  friends  and  acquaintance.  From  the 
time  of  his  settlement  in  New-York,  he  never 
voted  at  a  political  election ;  he  never  appeared 
at  a  poll ;  nor  did  he  ever  attempt,  on  any  occa- 
sion, to  interfere,  for  the  accomplishment  of  any 
political  object.  He  had  his  opinions,  indeed, 
he  could  not  but  have  them,  of  the  men  and  the 
measures  which,  at  different  times,  solicited  the 
public  patronage.  But  he  seldom  made  these 
opinions  the  subject  of  conversation,  even  in  pri- 
vate companies,  especially  in  mixed  companies ; 
he  never  carried  them  into  the  pulpit ;  and,  above 
all,  he  never  attempted  by  his  exertions  to  help 
forward  any  political  scheme  or  party.  Attempts 
were  more  than  once  made,  bv  friends  whom  he 
greatly  respected  and  loved,  to  seduce  him  from 
this  course.  But  he  steadfastly  resisted  their  so- 
licitations, and  kept  himself  aloof  from  their  col- 
lisions and  animosities  to  the  last.  It  was  in  vain 
they  urged,  that  clergymen  have  the  same  civil 


His  general  Character.  335 

rights,  and  the  same  deep  interest  in  the  prospe- 
rity of  their  country,  with  other  men.  He  ad- 
mitted their  premises,  but  denied  their  conelusion; 
and  answered,  though  not  in  the  words,  yet  in 
the  spirit  of  Nehemiah  of  old,  1  am  doing  a  great 
work,  so  that  I  cannot  come  down.  Why  should 
the  work  cease,  whilst  I  leave  it,  and  come  down 
to  you"^  ? 

It  will  not  be  supposed,  indeed,  that  as 
a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  he  considered  him- 
self as  precluded  from  explaining  and  incul- 
cating those  great  principles  of  social  order  and 
duty,  which  are  found  in  Scripture,  and  on  which 
eveiy  teacher  in  the  house  of  God  is  bound  to  in- 
sist, in  their  proper  place  and  proportion,  in  his 
public  ministrations.  This  duty  he  performed, 
and  it  is  believed  as  faithfully  as  most  ministers. 
But  he  carefully  avoided  intermeddling,  either  in 
speech  or  in  action,  with  the  party  conflicts  around 
him  5  nor  could  any  one  ever  learn  either  from  his 
prayers  or  his  preaching,  what  were  his  feelings 
relative  to  those  questions  which  filled  the  ga- 
zettes, and  agitated  the  town-meetings  of  the  day. 
And  by  avoiding  the  latter,  it  is  certain  that  he 

*  yehcmzah  vi.  5. 


336  His  general  Character. 

was  enabled  with  the  more  freedom,  and  without 
suspicion  or  offence,  to  accomplish  the  former. 

By  rigidly  and  steadily  pursuing  this  course, 
he  avoided  much  personal  inconvenience  and 
pain.  He  conciliated  friendship,  and  main- 
tained his  influence  with  all  parties.  He  pre- 
vented his  time  and  attention  from  being  ab- 
sorbed by  trivial  objects,  to  the  neglect  of 
infinitely  greater  concerns.  He  avoided  those 
collisions  and  alienations  of  social  feeling,  for 
which  the  zealous  politician  must  always  be  pre- 
pared. He  declined  putting  either  his  per- 
sonal or  official  character  in  the  power  of  every 
political  ruffian,  or  news-paper  scribbler.  And, 
above  all,  he  avoided  what  might  have  proved, 
and  could  scarcely  have  failed  of  proving,  an  ob- 
stacle both  to  the  acceptance  and  usefulness  of  his 
ministry. 

He  had  a  firm  persuasion,  that  it  was  not  only 
desirable,  but  highly  important,  to  all  clergymen, 
to  take  this  course  of  retirement  and  self-de- 
nial, with  respect  to  party  politics.  He  thought 
that,  by  adopting  a  different  plan  of  conduct, 
their  services  to  their  country,  whatever  they 
might  imagine  to  the  contrary,  were  really  little 


His  general  Characler.  33  7 

or  nothing';  while  their  injuries  to  the  church 
were  deep  and  lasting.  He  considered  it  as  de- 
grading the  dignity  of  their  office,  as  well  as 
striking  a  deadly  blow  at  their  professional  in- 
fluence, to  permit  themselves  to  be,  even  in  opinion, 
itlentijied  with  those  noisy  declaimers,  and  un- 
principled intriguers,  who,  with  the  language  of 
patriotism  in  their  mouths,  know  no  other  guide 
than  selfishness,  no  other  God  than  ambition. 
And  it  was  a  matter  of  unfeigned  regret  with  him^ 
when  he  perceived  that  any  of  his  brethren  viewed 
the  subject  in  a  different  light.  But  even  with  re- 
gard to  those  who  totally  differed  from  him,  both 
in  opinion  and  practice,  on  this  subject,  it  never 
interfered  with  the  most  cordial  aliection  and  in- 
tercourse. Nay,  it  may  with  confidence  be  as- 
serted, that,  from  the  time  of  his  leaving  St. 
George  s,  until  his  death,  he  never,  on  account  of 
party  politics,  either  lost  or  soured  a  friend. 

XI.  But  though  Doctor  Rodgers  was  no  po- 
litician, he  did  not  consider  himself  by  any  means 
as  exempted  from  the  duties  which  belong  to  a 
good  citizen.  On  the  contrary,  he  was  always 
prompt  in  obeying  the  calls  of  humanity  and 
BENEVOLENCE.  Besides  attending  to  his  duty 
in  several  religious  societies,  of  all  which  he  W8» 

4a 


338  His  general  Character, 

President;  he  found  time  to  be  one  of  the  most 
active  and  useful  members  of  the  "  Society  for 
"  the  rehef  of  distressed  Prisoners,"   and  of  the 
"  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  City  Dispensary,"   in 
both  of  which,  for  a  number  of  years,  he  presid- 
ed.    He  was  also  a  member  of  the  "  Manumis- 
"  sion  Society"  of  New-li  orh,  and  manifested  a 
deep  interest  in  the  abolition    of  slavery,  that 
long-patronized   disgrace   of    Christendom,  and 
in  the  success  of  plans  for  meliorating  the  con- 
dition of  slaves.      Nor  did  he,  as  is  too   often 
done,  content  himself  with  being  a  mere  nominal 
member  of  those  Associations.      He   gave  his 
time  and  labour,  as  well  as  pecuniary  contribu- 
tions for  their  support ;  and  was  always  ready  to 
ofo  foremost  in  exertions  to  lessen  the  miseries, 
and  promote  the  welfare  of  the  children  of  afflic- 
tion.    As  long  as  he  retained  his  vigour  of  body 
and  mind,  few  persons  in  the  community  took  a 
more  active  part  than  he,  in  promoting  and  ex- 
ecuting plans  of  enlightened  and  diftusive  bene- 
volence. 

XII.  Both  the  reputation  and  usefulness  of 
Doctor  liodgers  were  doubtless  promoted,  and 
probably  in  no  small  degree,  by  the  peculiar 

AND    UNIFORM    DIGNITY    OF    HIS    MANNERS. 


His  general  Character.  339 

This  part  of  his  character  was  not  only  remark- 
able, but  pre-eminent.  If  his  manners  had  some- 
times a  degree  of  formality  in  them  which  excit- 
ed the  smile  of  the  frivolous,  they  always  mani- 
fested the  polish  of  a  well-bred  gentleman,  as  well 
as  the  benevolence  of  a  christian  -,  and  nev  er  failed 
to  command  respect.  He  was  grave  without  be- 
ing starched,  and  dignified  without  reserve.  He 
was  habitually  cheerful,  and  often  facetious  and 
sportive ;  but  his  sportiveness  was  always  as  re- 
markable for  its  taste  and  dignity,  as  it  was  for 
the  perfect  inoffensiveness  of  its  character.  He 
was  probably  never  known,  in  a  single  case,  to 
let  himself  down  in  company,  by  undue  familiari- 
ty, by  levity,  by  coarse  or  unseasonable  anec- 
dotes, or  by  any  rude  invasion  of  the  feelings  of 
others.  There  was  a  uniformity,  an  urbanitv, 
and  a  vigilance  in  his  dignity,  which  plainly 
showed  that  it  was  not  the  result  of  temporary 
effort,  but  the  spontaneous  product  of  a  polished, 
benevolent,  and  elevated  mind. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  this  happy  style  of 
deportment,  was  of  great  service  to  him  in  every 
part  of  his  life.  By  his  dignified  manners,  he 
made  a  favourable  impression  on  perfect  stran- 
gers, and  always  inspired  respect,  wherever  he 


340  His  general  Char acler, 

went.  By  his  manners  he  was  enabled  to  keep 
at  a  distance  the  impertinent  and  the  trouble- 
some, without  offending  them ;  and  thus  to  avoid 
much  expense  of  time  and  comfort.  By  his 
manners  he  conciliated  the  contidence  and  vene- 
ration of  all  classes  with  whom  he  was  called  to 
have  intercourse ;  for  they  were  adapted  to  make 
an  impression  in  his  favour  equally  on  the  rich 
and  the  poor,  the  polished  and  the  rude,  the 
learned  and  the  ignorant.  And,  more  especially, 
by  his  manners,  he,  as  it  were,  cast  around  him 
an  influence,  which  repressed  frivolity,  impiety, 
and  profaneness,  and  made  his  presence  a  pledge 
of  decency  and  order.  "  There  is  something 
"  defective,''  says  the  eloquent  Dr.  Jay,  "  espe- 
^'  cially  in  a  minister,  unless  his  character  pro- 
"  duces  an  atmosphere  around  him,  which  is  felt 
"  as  soon  as  entered.  It  is  not  enough  for  him 
"  to  have  courage  to  reprove  certain  things  \  he 
**  should  have  dignity  enough  to  prevent  them ; 
>^  and  he  will,  if  the  christian  be  commensurate 
^^  with  the  preacher,  and  if  he  walk  worthy  of 
<^  God,  who  hath  called  us  into  his  kingdom  and 
^^  glory*/'  This  moral  atmosphere  surrounded 
J)QCtor  Rodgsrs.  And  it  was  produced,  not  by 
moroseness  or  austerity ;  but  by  a  peculiar,  apos- 

♦  Life  of  Winter^  p.  299. 


His  general  Character.  341 

tolical  dignity,  which  every  one  instantly  perceiv- 
ed, and  which  nothing  but  the  most  hardened 
and  brutal  profligacy  was  able  to  withstand. 

XIII.  Finally ;  let  it  not  be  thought  beneath 
the  dignity  of  biography  to  state,  that  Doctor 
Modgers  was  always  attentive  to  his  dress. 
Like  his  manners  and  his  morals,  it  was  invaria- 
bly neat,  elegant,  and  spotless.  He  appeared  to 
have  an  innate  abhorrence  of  every  thing  like 
Slovenliness  or  disorder  about  his  person.  And 
while  there  was  nothing  that  indicated  an  exces- 
sive or  finical  attention  to  the  materials  or  the  ad- 
justment of  his  clothing;  it  was  ever  such  as 
manifested  the  taste  of  a  gentleman.  In  this  re- 
spect he  resembled  his  friend  and  spiritual  father, 
Mr.  Whitefield,  whose  sayings  and  example  on 
the  subject  he  not  unfrequently  quoted. 

The  dress  of  our  persons,  like  that  of  our 
thoughts,  is  undoubtedly  important.  No  man 
ever  neglected  either,  without  impairing  both  his 
respectability  and  his  usefulness.  A  clerical  fop 
is,  indeed,  contemptible  ;  but  a  clerical  sloven, 
deserves  no  slight  reprehension.  It  has  been 
said,  and  probably  with  truth,  that  the  person 
who  has  a  remarkably  pure  and  well-ordered 


342  His  general  Character. 

mind,  will  seldom  fail  to  be  neat  and  tasteful 
in  his  dress.  It  is  certain  that  such  a  dress  has 
a  tendency  to  inspire  respect,  even  among  the 
most  enlightened  and  reflecting  classes  of  soci- 
ety ;  that  it  gives  additional  dignity  to  the  pre- 
sence, and  additional  force  to  the  instructions,  of 
him  who  wears  it ;  and  that  almost  all  persons 
instinctively  connect  with  it  something  of  a  cor- 
responding character  in  his  intellectual  and  moral 
endowments.  If  this  be,  in  any  degree,  the  case, 
it  seems  to  follow,  of  course,  that  a  well-regulat- 
ed and  moderate,  but  habitual  attention  to  this 
object,  is  incumbent  on  every  christian,  but  espe- 
cially on  every  christian  who  fills  a  public  station. 

As  an  AUTHOK.  Doctor  Rodgers  never  held 
an  eminent  place.  His  forte  was  in  action^  not 
in  ivritingy  which  he  undertook  with  reluctance, 
and  as  seldom  as  possible.  His  publications 
were  few.  The  following,  it  is  believed,  is  a 
complete  list. 

I.  Holiness  the  Nature  and  Design  of  the 
Gospel  of  Christ :  A  sermon  preached  at  Stock- 
bridge,  June  24,  1779,  before  the  Lodge  of  Free 
and   Accepted  Masons,    of   Berkshire  county. 


His  general  Character.  843 

State  of  Massachusetts  :    and  published  at  their 
request. 

II.  The  Divine  Goodness  displayed  in  the 
American  Revolution  :  a  Sermon  preached  in 
New- York,  December  11th,  1783;  appointed  by 
Congress,  as  a  day  of  public  Thanksgiving 
throughout  the  United  States. 

III.  Three  Sermons  in  the  American  Preacher. 

IV.  The  Faithful  Servant  Rewarded  :  a  Ser- 
mon, delivered  at  Princeton,  before  the  Trustees 
of  the  College  of  New- Jersey,  May  6th,  1795, 
occasioned  by  the  death  of  the  Reverend  John 
WitJierspoon,  President  of  said  College. 

Y.  A  Charge  delivered  to  the  Reverend  Jo- 
seph  Bidlen,  at  his  designation  to  the  office  of 
Missionary  to  the  Chickasaw  Indians. 

YI.  The  Presence  of  Christ  the  Glory  of  a 
Church  :  a  Sermon  delivered  November  6th, 
1808,  at  the  opening  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
in  Cedw-street,  ISeiv-York. 

These  publications  are  all  respectable  in  their 


844  His  general  Character. 

kind.  They  furnish  internal  evidence  that  their 
author  was  a  pious,  enlightened,  and  judicious 
Divine.  But  they  all  discover,  what  has  been 
more  than  once  hinted  in  the  foregoing  pages, 
that  he  had  been  too  busy  in  the  great  and  prac- 
tical departments  of  his  professional  duty,  to  in- 
dulge himself  in  the  luxuries  of  polite  literature, 
or  to  attain  the  elegancies  of  fine  writing ;  and 
that  he  had  the  pious  magnanimity  to  prefer  the 
former  to  the  latter. 

Such  was  Doctor  John  Rodgers!  He  was 

not  without  his  infirmities ;  but  they  were  spots  in 
a  luminary  of  full-orbed  excelle  ce ;  and  no  one 
was  more  ready  than   himself  to  acknowledge, 
that  he  was  a  miserable  sinner,  and  that  his  pro- 
per place  was  at  the  footstool  of  Divine  mercy. 
"  Take   him   for   all    in    all,"    the    American 
church  has  not  often    seen   his  like;    and  will 
not,   it   is    probable,   speedily   or    often  "  look 
"  upon  his  like  again."      In  vigorous  and  ori- 
ginal powers  of  mind,  a  number  have  exceed- 
ed him.     In  profound  and  various  learning,  he 
had  many  superiors.     In  those  brilliant  qualities, 
which  excite  the  admiration  of  men,  and  which 
are  much  better  fitted  to  adorn  than  to  enrich, 
pre-eminence  is  not  claimed  for  him.     But  in 


His  general  Character.  345 

that  happy  assemblage  of  practical  qualities,  both 
of  the  head  and  the  heart,  which  go  to  form  the 
respectable  man ;  the  correct  and  polished  gen- 
tleman ;  the  firm  friend ;  the  benevolent  citizen ; 
the  spotless  and  exemplary  christian  ;  the  pious, 
dignified,  and  venerable  ambassador  of  Christ; 
the  faithful  pastor;  the  active,  zealous,  persever- 
ing, unwearied  labourer  in  the  vineyard  of  his 
Lord ;  it  is  no  disparagement  to  eminent  worth 
to  say,  that  he  was  scarcely  equalled,  and  cer- 
tainly never  exceeded,  by  any  of  his  contem- 
poraries. 

The  history  of  this  excellent  Man  is  an  instruc- 
tive one.  Among  a  number  of  important  lessons, 
it  teaches  us — 

Th?^.  personal  character  has  an  immediate  and 
essential  influence  on  official  standing  : — 

That  ardent  piety,  exemplary  deportment, 
habitual  prudence,  and  unwearied  diligence, 
are  those  qualities  in  a  Gospel  Minister,  on 
which,  under  God,  the  greatest  reliance  is  to 
be  placed: — 

That  the  impression  made  by  the  exhibition 

44 


345  His  general  Character, 

of  constant,  uniform,   and   consistent  Christian 
excellence,  never  fails  to  be  deep,  benign,  and 


lasting 


That  the  more  exclusively  a  Minister  of  the 
Gospel  is  dpvoted  to  his  pRPiiliar  vvork^  the  great-* 

er  will,  ordinarily,  be  his  comfort  and  his  use- 
fulness : — 

That  the  ^attainment  of  the  best  and  noblest 
kind  of  eminence,  in  the  sacred,  as  well  as  every 
other,  profession,  is,  humanly  speaking,  within 
the  reach  of  many  more  than  is  commonly 
imagined : — 

That  the  most  solid  and  lasting  popularity  is 
founded  less  on  splendid  pulpit  eloquence,  than 
on  faithful  and  persevering  pastoral  labours  > — 

That  "  them  that  honour  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
"  He  will  honour :" — Of  course, 

That  that  minister  is  in  the  fairest  way  to  true 
honour,  and  the  most  desirable  success,  who  lives 
most  by  faith  on  the  Divine  Redeemer,  and  who 
forgets  his  own  glory,  in  the  multitude  of  his  de- 


His  general  Character,  347 

sires  and  endeavours  to  advance  the  glory  of 
Him  that  sent  him : — And, 

That  He  who  sits  as  "King*  upon  the  holy  hill 
*^  of  Zion,"  does  continue  to  fulfil  the  promise 
long  since  made  to  his  ministers — "  Lo,  I  am 
"  with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the 
''  wwld." 

"  To  Him  he  glory  in  the  Church,  throughout 
•^  all  ages,  world  without  end  !  Amen  /" 


END  OF  THE  IVIEMOIRS. 

4 


# 


SERMON 


OCCASIONED  BY  THE  DEATH  OF 


DOCTOR  RODGERS. 


•«,'•■ 


» 


SERMON, 


PREACHED  IN  THE  CITY  OF  NEW-YORS, 


MAY  12th,  1811, 


OCCASIONED    BY   THE    DEATH   OF   THE 


REV.  JOHN  KODGERS,  D.  D. 


LATE  SENIOR  PASTOR  OF  THE  WALL-STREET  AND  BRICK  CHtRCHES, 

NEW-YORK.  * 


BY  SAMUEL  MILLER,  D.  D. 

StTEVIVISG  PASTOR  OV  THE  CHITRCH  IN  WAI.l-STREET. 


|m 


:U 


A  SERMON,  -Sc. 

2  Kings  ii.  12. 

— My  Father i  my  Father !  the  chariot  of  Israel, 
and  the  horsemen  thereof  \ 

Death  is  daily  making*  conquests  in  our  apos* 
tate  world ;  but  rarely,  very  rarely,  does  he  make 
such  a  conquest,  as  that  which,  in  the  course 
of  the  last  week,  has  clothed  this  Church  in 
mourning".  He  has  entered  the  sanctuary  of 
God,  and  directed  his  arrow  ag-ainst  a  Father  in 
Israel  The  death  of  any  man,  is  a  solemn  ai»d 
instructive  event :  but  when  the  eminent,  the  use- 
ful, and  the  honoured  die ;  when  the  Ambassa- 
dor of  Jesus  Christ,  venerable  in  piety  and  in 
services,  as  well  as  in  age,  is  taken  away,  we 
ought  to  be  deeply  and  peculiarly  affected.  We 
may  then,  every  one  of  us,  exclaim,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  pious  friendship  befoj-e  us — My  Father, 
my  Father !  the  chariot  of  Israel,  and  the  horse=' 
men  thereof  I 

45 


354  Funeral  Sermon, 

In  this  tender  and  impassioned  lang-uage,  did 
the  young  prophet  Elisha  lament  the  departure 
of  Elijah,  his  father,  guide,  and  friend.  Elijah 
had  long  and  faithfully  served  God  and  his  ge- 
neration. He  was  the  most  illustrious  advocate 
of  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness  then  on 
earth :  nay,  almost  the  only  one,  who  dared  to 
appear  openly  and  unreservedly  in  support  of 
that  cause,  at  a  period  of  awful  degeneracy  and 
corruption.  With  signal  valour  and  intrepidity, 
he  had  fought  the  battles  of  Jehovah  against  his 
enemies;  and  Jehovah  had  given  him  the  victo- 
ry. The  time  had  now  come  when  he  Avas  to 
be  released  from  the  labours  and  the  sorrows  of 
earth,  and  raised  to  his  reward  on  high.  And 
as  his  life  and  ministry  had  been  attended  with 
many  extraordinary  circumstances,  so  the  man- 
ner of  his  conveyance  to  his  eternal  home  was 
no  less  extraordinary.  Like  Enoch,  he  did  not 
die,  but  was  translated. 

The  account  of  his  translation,  though  short 
and  simple,  is  most  interesting.  The  only  earthly 
witness  of  the  scene  was  Elisha,  who  was  honour- 
ed with  the  last  conversation,  and  the  last  sight 
of  the  ascending  prophet.  Elisha  was  warmly 
attached  to  Elijah,  as  an  affectionate  son  to  a 


Funeral  Sermon,  356 

tender  parent.  He  had  received  from  his  hand, 
the  sacred  anointing-  to  the  prophetic  office.  For 
ten  years  and  niore  they  had  been  united  in  la- 
bours, as  well  as  in  love.  But  the  time  of  their 
separation  had  arrived.  The  time  had  come  in 
which  Elisha  must  be  left  to  serve  alone.  An- 
ticipating* the  e\ent,  the  young  prophet  resist- 
ed every  proposal  to  leave  his  venerable  col- 
league, steadfastly  replying  to  every  importu- 
nity of  this  nature.  As  the  Lord  livetli,  and 
as  thy  soul  liveth,  I  will  not  leave  thee.  Accord- 
ingly, from  Gilgal  to  Bethel,  from  Bethel  to  Je- 
richo,  and  from  Jericho  to  Jordan,  they  went  to-* 
gether.  And  it  came  to  pass,  as  they  still  ivent 
on  and  talked,  that,  behold,  there  appeared  a  cJia- 
riot  of  fire,  and  horses  of  fire,  and  parted  them 
both  asunder  ;  and  Elijah  went  up  by  a  whirbvind 
into  heaven.  And  Elisha  saw  it,  and  he  died, 
My  Father,  my  Father !  the  chariot  of  Israel^ 
and  the  horsemen  thereof!  And  he  saw  him  no 
more. 

This  abrupt  and  vehement  exclamation,  in 
which  Elisha  gave  vent  to  his  feelings,  we  have 
chosen  as  more  particularly  the  subject  of  our 
present  consideration.  The  language  of  the  ex- 
clamation is  metaphorical.      It  is  a  metaphor 


356  Funeral  Sermon. 

taken  from  the  apparatus  of  war.  Chariots  and 
horsemen  are  expressive  of  that  kind  of  mihtary 
force  which  was  then  most  in  vogue.  They 
weve  the  strength  and  the  defence  of  ancient  na- 
tions. To  this  fact  the  Psahnist  referred  when 
he  said,  Some  trust  in  chariots,  and  some  in 
horses ;  but  we  will  remember  the  name  of  the 
Lord  our  God*.  Considering  Elisha,  therefore, 
as,  in  these  words,  addressing  his  ascending 
colleague,  it  is  as  if  he  had  said — O  my  Father ! 
art  THOU  leaving  us  when  we  so  much  need 
thee  ?  Alas !  the  strength,  the  defence,  and 
the  GLORY  of  Israel  is  taken  away  ! 

The  doctrine  of  our  text,  then,  is  this — great 

AND    GOOD    MEN    ARE    THE    STRENGTH    AND 

GLORY  OF  A  NATION :  and,  of  course,  when 

THEY  ARE  TAKEN  AWAY,  WE  HAVE  REASON 
TO  BEWAIL  THEIR  LOSS. 

I.  Great  and  good  men  are  the 

STRENGTH  AND  GLORY  OF  A  NATION. 

By  great  and  good  men,  I  mean,  not  those 
whom  the  world  calls  great  and  good.     Alas ! 

*  Psalm  XX.  7, 


Funeral  Sermon*  357 

these  epithets  are  often  bestowed  on  the  vilest 
and  most  unworthy ;  on  men  who  are  the  dis- 
grace of  their  species,  and  the  scourge  of  their 
generation.  But  I  mean  those  who  are  really 
so,  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  according  to  the 
language  and  spirit  of  his  Word.  Men  of  wise 
and  understanding  hearts;  men  of  unfeigned 
piety,  and  devoted,  upon  evangelical  principles, 
to  the  service  of  God  and  their  fellow-men; 
men  of  an  enlarged,  noble,  disinterested  spirit, 
who  have  no  greater  joy  than  to  go  about  doing 
good,  and  glorifying  iheir  Father  in  heaven. 
Such  was  Enoch,  who  walked  with  God,  and  had 
this  best  of  all  testimonies,  that  he  pleased  God*, 
Such  was  jSoah,  a  just  man  and  perfect  in  his 
generations,  who  also  walked  with  God^.  Such 
was  Abraham,  the  father  of  the  faithful,  and  the 
friend  of  God.  Such  was  Moses,  the  leader  of 
the  armies  of  Israel,  and  the  benefactor  of  mil- 
lions. Such  was  David,  the  man  after  GocVs 
own  heart,  who  consecrated  his  great  talents,  his 
royal  power,  and  his  inexhaustible  treasures,  to 
the  noblest  of  all  purposes.  Such  was  the  apos- 
tle Paul,  who,  in  the  space  of  thirty  years,  pro- 
bably did  more  to  enlighten,  reform,  and  bless 

*  Heb,  xi.  5.  f   Gen,  vi.  'J. 


358  Funeral  Sermon. 

mankind,  and  to  biiiid  up  the  church  of  God,  than 
any  individual  that  ever  lived,  before  or  since  his 
time.  And,  finally,  such  was  Barnabas,  whose 
character  is  thus  concisely  and  strongly  drawn 
by  an  inspired  penman — He  was  a  good  man, 
and  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  of  faith,  and 
much  people  ivas  added  to  the  Lord*.  These 
were  great  and  good  men.  Some  of  them  had 
very  great  intellectual  powers;  but  their  most 
prominent  excellence  was  of  the  moral  kind.  It 
was  this,  at  which  their  God  especially  looked. 
It  was  this,  which,  more  than  any  thing  else,  ren- 
dered them,  at  once,  an  honour  and  a  blessing  to 
the  world.  *^ 

And  this  kind  of  excellence,  brethren,  when 
weighed  in  the  balance  of  the  sanctuary,  nay,  when 
weighed  in  the  balance  of  enlightened  reason,  will 
ever  be  found  the  most  precious  and  important.  It 
is  not  denied,  indeed,  that  great  talents,  learning, 
and  wealth,  are  highly  important  in  their  place ;  and 
that  eminent  piety,  when  joined  with  them,  is  more 
likely  to  attract  attention,  to  command  respect,  and 
to  extend  its  beneficial  influence  to  a  wider  sphere, 
than  when  alone.      Still  it  is  certain,  that  they 

*  Jets  xi.  24. 


Funeral  Sermon.  359 

Lave  been  by  no  means  the  most  useful  men, 
who  have  made  the  most  noise,  or  enjoyed  the 
most  splendid  reputation  in  the  world ;  neither 
are  those  actions  most  deserving  of  praise,  which 
have  been  most  extensively  celebrated  by  the 
voice  of  fame.  But  that  piety,  purity,  benevo- 
lence, temperance,  humility,  and  prayerfulness, 
which  are  little  noticed,  and  speedily  forgotten 
by  the  world ;  are  not  only  held  in  everlasting  re* 
memhrance  before  God ;  but  are  also  the  grand 
ornament  and  safeguard  of  that  very  world, 
which  despises  and  forgets  them.  We  may  say, 
then,  of  faithful  and  exemplary  christians,  in  ge- 
neral, and  especially  of  faithful  christian  Mi- 
nisters, that  they  are  a  blessing  to  any  peo- 
ple. They  are  the  light  of  the  world;  they  pre- 
vent moral  darkness  from  descending,  and 
covering  the  nations.  They  are  the  salt  of  the 
earth ;  they  preserve  the  social  mass  from  cor- 
ruption. They  are  the  pillars  of  society;  they 
keep  the  fabric  from  falling  into  total  ruin. 
They  are  emphatically  the  strength  and 
OLORY  of  a  nation. 

1.  Great  and  ^rood  men  contribute  to  the 
streno;th  and  olory  of  a  nation  bv  their  instruc- 
tioxs.     The  importance  of  correct  opinions  in 


360  Funeral  Sermon, 

morals  and  relig'ion,  is  incalculable.  Action  is 
the  result  of  principle ;  and  principle  can  never  be 
rig^ht,  where  opinions  essentially  wrong  are  admit- 
ted and  cherished.  On  the  contrary,  where  cor- 
rect opinions  prevail,  and  in  proportion  to  the  de- 
gree in  which  they  prevail,  they  form  one  of 
the  strongest  barriers  against  total  moral  waste. 
They  never  fail  to  exert  a  secret,  but  most 
powerful  influence,  in  favour  of  right  practice. 
They  restrain,  where  they  do  not  sanctify.  They 
tend  to  promote  social  order,  and  temporal  hap- 
piness, even  where  they  fall  short  of  saving  effi- 
cacy. Hence  the  man  who  contributes  any  thing, 
however  small,  toward  the  dissemination  and  re- 
ception of  correct  sentiments  among  a  people,  is 
a  public  benefactor.  He  renders  a  more  essen- 
tial service  to  his  country  than  if  he  presented  her 
with  countless  millions  of  silver  and  gold.  He 
does  more  to  promote  the  national  defence,  than 
the  collector  and  supporter  of  fleets  and  armies. 
Which,  I  ask,  were  the  greater  benefactors  of 
their  respective  nations,  and  of  mankind, — Im- 
tJieVy  Calvin,  and  Cranmer,  who  were  employed 
by  a  gracious  Providence  to  tear  away  the  veil 
of  ignorance  and  error  which  covered  the  world  ', 
or  their  great  contemporaries  in  civil  achieve- 
ments, Charles,  Henry,  and  Francis,  who  spent 


Funeral  Sermon,  361 

all  their  days  in  sanguinary  struggles  for  territory 
or  power  ?  Can  we  doubt,  for  a  moment,  what 
is  the  proper  answer  ?  The  history  of  the  latter 
is  written  in  deeds  of  gloomy  horror,  or  of  "  dis- 
astrous lustre ;"  in  the  destruction  of  individual 
happiness,  or  the  corruption  of  public  virtue: 
while  that  of  the  former  is  recorded  in  all  the 
correctness  of  theological  sentiment,  in  all  the 
purity  of  private  morals,  and  in  all  the  richness 
of  national  blessing,  which  flowed,  directly  or 
indirectly,  from  the  glorious  reformation. 

2.  Great  and  good  men  are  the  strength  and 
glory  of  a  nation,  by  means  of  the  lustre  and  ef- 
ficacy of  their  example.  This  is  a  mode  of 
contributing  to  the  public  welfare,  in  which  all 
men  may  take  a  part.  It  has  grown  into  a  pro- 
verb, that  example  is  a  more  powerful  mean  of 
making  an  impression  on  the  minds  of  men,  than 
precept.  It  is  a  method  of  addressing  mankind 
which  has  this  peculiar  advantage,  that  it  "  is 
known  and  read  of  all  men."  Every  man, 
however  small  his  possessions,  or  however  weak 
liis  talents,  may  set  a  bright  example  of  holy  liv- 
ing, and  of  heavenly  mindedness.  Every  man 
may,  by  his  very  deportment,  every  hour,  frown 
on  vice  and  impiety,  and  encourage  virtue  and 

46 


'd&Z  Funeral  Sermon* 

godliness.     And  in  proportion  as  lie  does  this,  he 
contributes  to  the  public   defence  and  honour. 
Often,  very  often,  has  the  example  even  of  servants, 
been  made  a  rich  blessing  to  those  \v\\o  employed 
them,  and  become  the  means  of  permanent  bene- 
fit to  families,  and  even  to  distant  generations. 
But  when  a  holy  and  edifying  example  is  set 
by  the  eminent  and  exalted ;  by  those,  who,  in 
consequence   of   their   talents,  or  their   station, 
possess  an  extensive  and  powerful  influence  in 
society;  it  is,  in  a  corresponding  degree,  a  public 
blessing.     It  is  seen  by  a  larger  portion  of  the 
community ;  it  is  contemplated  with  greater  res- 
pect; and  it  makes  a  deeper  and  more  lasting 
impression.     Such  examples  "  raise  the  standard 
**  of  morals ;  they  arrest  the  progress  of  degene- 
"  racy  ;  they  diffuse  a  lustre  over  the  path  of  life ; 
"  while  their  commemoration  by  the  pens  of  his- 
^*  torians  and  poets,  awakens  in  distant  bosoms 
^<  the  sparks  of  kindred  excellence*." 

3.  The  great  and  good  contribute  to  the 
sti'ength  and  glory  of  a  nation  by  their  prayers. 
The  effectual,  fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man, 
iiays  the  apostle  James,  availeth  much.     Not  only 

*  Hall*s  Sermon  on  Modern  Ivjiddity.  12. 


Funeral  Sermon,  363 

much  to  himself;  but  also  much,  as  the  reason- 
ing of  the  apostle  implies,  to  those  around  him. 
Elias  was  a  man  subject  to  like  passions  as  we  are^ 
and  he  prayed  earnestly  that  it  might  not  rain  ; 
and  it  rained  not  on  the  earth  by  the  sjjace  of 
three  years  and  six  months.  And  he  prayed 
acjain,  and  the  heaven  gave  rain,  and  the  earth 
brought  forth  her  Jruit^,  Thus  the  fervent  sup- 
plications of  "  righteous  Lof^  obtained  deliver- 
ance for  Zoar,  when  the  Lord  visited  Sodom,  and 
the  rest  of  the  "  cities  of  the  plain,"  with  a  dread- 
ful overthrowf .  Thus  Moses,  a  man  mighty  in 
prayer,  often  prevailed  with  God  for  the  salva- 
tion of  Israel,  For  God  said,  that  he  would  have 
destroyed  them,  had  not  Moses,  his  chosen,  stood 
he/ore  him  in  the  breach,  to  turn  away  his  wrathy 
lest  he  should  destroy  themp  Thus,  at  the  prayer 
of  Samuel,  the  people  of  Israel  were  protected 
from  the  rage  of  their  haughty  and  powerful 
enemies,  the  Philistines,  For  Samuel  cried  unto 
the  Lord  for  Israel ;  and  the  Lord  heard  him  ; 
and  as  Samuel  was  offering  up  the  burnt  offer-- 
ing,  the  Philistines  drew  near  to  battle  against  Is- 
rael :  but  the  Lord  thundered  with  a  great  thun- 
der, on  that  day,  upon  the  Philistines ,  and  dis~ 

»  James  v.  16,  17,     t  Gen.  xix.  20—23.     \  Paalm  cvi.  23. 


364  Funeral  Sermon, 

comfited  them,  and  they  were  smitten  before  Is- 
7'aeL  And  the  hand  of  the  Lord  7vas  against  the 
Philistines  all  the  days  of  Samuel^.  When  the 
Jews  were  in  captivity,  and  tlie  walls  of  Jerusa'- 
lem  broken  down,  Nehemiah  wept,  and  fasted, 
and  prayed  to  the  God  of  heaven,  that  He  would 
grant  him  favour  before  the  king  of  Persia,  and 
incline  him  to  smile  upon  the  good  design  of 
building  the  city  and  house  of  God.  In  answer 
to  this  prayer  the  Lord  so  inclined  the  king's 
heart,  that  Nehemiah  has  left  it  on  record — The 
king  granted  me  according  to  the  good  hand  of 
my  God  upon  me'\.  Again,  when  Sennacherib 
invaded  Judah,  and  breathed  out  threatenings 
against  her,  and  blasphemies  against  her  God, 
and  when  he  thought  confidently  to  overwhelm 
her  fenced  cities ;  Hezekiah,  the  king,  and  Isaiah, 
the  prophet,  wept  and  prayed  before  the  Lord 
in  behalf  of  their  beloved  country  3  and  the  Lord 
hearkened  and  heard  them,  and,  in  a  most  won- 
derful manner,  saved  Jerusalem  from  the  power 
of  the  haughty  Assyrian f.  And,  linally,  it  was 
when  the  disciples  were  all  with  one  accord,  in 
2)rayer  and  supplication,  in  the  city  of  Jerusalem, 
that  the  Holy  Spirit,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  was 

*  1  Samuel YU,  5—14.     f  JVeh€?n,iL  S*— 9.    |  Isa.  xxxvii. 


Funeral  Sermon.  365 

sent  down  with  power  and  great  glory,  on  the 
church  in  that  city,  imparting  a  rich  blessing, 
not  only  to  what  was  then  the  household  of  faith, 
but  ultimately  to  the  surrounding  nations*. 

These  instances  may  suffice  to  show  that  the 
saints  of  God  have  a  strong  interest  in  the  court 
of  heaven ;  that,  by  their  prayers,  they  often  pre- 
vail to  avert,  to  mitigate,  or  to  remove,  judgments 
from  a  people  5  and  sometimes  to  obtain  a  re- 
prieve even  for  those  who  are  ripe  for  ruin,  and 
devoted  to  destruction.  For  we  cannot  suppose, 
either  that  the  character  of  the  Most  High  is 
changed,  or  that  prayer  has  lost  its  efficacy,  since 
the  date  of  the  occurrences  which  have  been  re- 
cited. We  cannot  suppose  that  the  arm  of  Je- 
hovah is  shortened,  that  it  cannot  save,  or  that  his 
ear  is  heavy  that  it  cannot  hear,  or  that  ihe  fervent 
prayer  of  a  righteous  man  availeth  less  than  for- 
merly. No,  my  brethren,  God  is  still  a  God  who 
hears,  and  answers  prayer,  and  grants  the  re- 
quests of  his  people.  The  prayers  of  believers, 
when  they  fervently  and  unitedly  besiege  the 
throne  of  grace,  are  still  mighty :  mighty  to 
avert  judgments ;  mighty  to  draw  down   bless- 

♦  jicfs  i,  ii. 


366  Funeral  Sermon. 

ings.  In  the  strong  and  bold  language  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  himself,  they  have  strength  ivith  God, 
and  prevail^.  It  was  said  by  Mary,  Q,ueen  of 
Scots,  that  infatuated  victim  of  folly  and  crime, 
that  she  was  more  afraid  of  John  Knox's  prayers, 
than  of  an  army  of  ten  thousand  men.  She  had 
more  reason  to  be  afraid  of  them.  They  were  far 
more  formidable  to  her  unrighteous  cause.  And 
I  have  no  doubt,  that  it  is  as  great  and  precious 
a  truth,  at  this  day,  as  it  ever  was,  that  a  praying 
people  are,  under  God,  the  greatest  security  of  a 
nation.  I  have  no  doubt  that  many  an  humble 
christian,  in  circumstances  far  less  conspicuous 
than  those  of  that  great  and  good  Reformer,  per- 
haps altogether  unnoticed  by  the  world,  has  been 
enabled,  b^  his  prayers,  silently,  but  most  effica- 
ciously, to  draw  down  blessings  on  his  family, 
on  his  neighbourhood,  and  on  his  nation. 

4.  Once  more;  the  very  presence  of  the  wise. 
and  the  good,  in  a  city  or  nation,  forms  a  defence, 
the  value  of  which  no  human  powers  can  esti- 
mate. Our  Lord  long  ago  taught  us,  that  the 
tares  are  often  spared,  for  the  sake  of  the 
wheat  growing  beside  them.     In  like  manner, 

*  Gen,  xxxii.  28. 


Funeral  Sermon*  367 

for  the  sake  of  the  righteous,  the  world  is  pre- 
served. And,  for  their  sakes,  blessings  daily 
descend,  to  enlighten  and  cheer  the  abodes  of 
men.  Had  there  been  ten  righteous  persons  in 
Sodom,  that  depraved  city  had  been  spared  for 
their  sake.  And  though  Lot  himself  appears  to 
have  been  the  only  person  there  of  this  charac- 
ter ;  yet  Jehovah  declared  that  He  could  not  do 
any  thing  against  the  city,  till  his  servant  Lot  had 
made  his  escape  from  the  unhallowed  territory, 
and  taken  refuge  in  Zom\ 

It  is  readily  granted,  that  there  are  degrees  of 
corruption  and  profligacy  which,  when  a  people 
have  reached,  they  must  and  will  be  destroyed. 
With  respect  to  a  nation  which  has  come  to 
this  awful  moral  crisis,  it  is  said,  by  the  Pro- 
phet, Though  these  three  men^  Noah,  Daniel,  and 
Job,  were  in  it,  they  should  deliver  but  their  own 
souls  by  their  righteousness^*  Still  it  is  manifest, 
.  from  the  whole  tenour  of  his  word,  that  God  is 
slow  to  inflict  heavy  judgments  upon  a  nation  in 
which  many  of  his  people  dwell ;  that  he  often 
spares  it,  spreads  over  it  the  protection  of  his 
Providence,  and  finally  delivers  it,  for  their  sake; 

*  Ezekid  xiv.  1 4i 


368  Funeral  Sermon^ 

and,  of  course,  that  the  presence  of  his  beloved 
children,  speaking  after  the  manner  of  men,  is  a 
better  defence  than  charHots  and  horsemen : — a 
better  defence  than  all  the  plans  of  mere  poUti- 
cians ;  than  all  the  skill,  courage,  and  activity  of 
7nere  warriors. 

In  all  the  ways  which  have  been  mentioned, 
and  in  many  more,  the  great  and  good  are 
the  strength  and  glory  of  a  nation.  Hence 
we  find  in  a  number  of  instances  in  the  sacred 
history,  that  when  persons  of  this  character  were 
taken  away,  the  most  deplorable  consequences 
ensued.  Thus,  after  the  death  of  Joshua^  and  of 
the  elders  who  outlived  him,  who  had  seen  all  the 
great  works  of  the  Lord,  which  he  did  for  Israel, 
the  children  of  Israel  did  evil  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord,  and  served  Balaam,  and  forsook  the  Lord 
God  of  their  fathers,  and  followed  other  gods, 
and  howed  themselves  down  unto  them;  so  that 
the  anger  of  the  Lord  was  hot  against  Israel,  and 
He  delivered  them  into  the  hands  of  spoilers  that 
spoiled  them,  so  that  they  could  not  any  longer 
stand  before  their  enemies^.  So  it  was  with  the 
j^ood  kings,  Hezekiah  and  Josiah,      While  they 

*  Judges  ii.  6— 1-5. 


Funeral  Sermwu  369 

lived,  their  people  were  comparatively  pure  and 
happy;  but,  when  they    \^ere  taken  away,  error 
and  corruption  lifted  their  heads,  and  soon  gain- 
ed a  most    awful    and    destructive   prevalence. 
Hence   God    said    concerning   Judah^    in    the 
days  of  the  prophet  Ezehiel ;  I  sovyhtjor  a  man 
among  them  that  should  make  vp  the  hedc/e^  and 
stand  in  the  (jap  before  me,  for  the  land,  that  1 
should  not  destroy  it ;  but  I  found  none.     There- 
fore  have  I  poured  out  mine  indignation  upon 
them  J  1  have  consuyned  them  with  the  fire  of  my 
wrath  ;  their  own  way  have  I  recompensed  upon 
their  heads,  saith  the  Lord  God*.    Nor  were  facts 
of  this  kind  by  any  means  confined  to   ancient 
times.    Very  often,  as  the  discerning  have  seen,  in 
later  periods,  when  great  champions  of  truth  and 
righteousness  have  been  removed  from  the  midst  of 
a  people,  error,  corruption,  and  misery,  have  bro- 
ken in  upon  that  people,  and  made  it  manifest  that 
their  defence,  under  God,  was  gone. 

And  is  not  such  a  result  as  reasonable  in  prin- 
ciple, as  it  is  familiar  and  unquestionable  in  fact? 
If  "  the  safety  of  nations  is  not  to  be  sought  in 
"  arts  or  in  arms  ;"  if  the  prevalence  of  industry, 
temperance,   chastity,  frugality,  and  patriotism;, 

*  Ezekiel  xxii.  30,  31 . 

47 


370  Funeral  Sermon. 

he  of  incalculable  moment  in  promoting  the  or- 
der, the  union,  and  the  strength  of  a  people; 
if  religion  be  the  great  tamer  of  the  passions, 
the  great  softener  of  human  obduracy  and  bru- 
tahty,  the  grand  source  of  all  those  virtues  which 
bind  society  together  ;  and  if  a  faithful  God  will 
never  withdraw  his  covenant  blessing  from  his 
children,  wherever  they  dwell;  then  it  is  evident, 
that  whenever  any  leading,  exemplary,  and  influ- 
ential servant  of  God  is  taken  away  from  a  people, 
so  much  of  the  safety  and  glory  of  that  people  is 
departed. 

But  if  the  foregoing  facts  and  reasonings  apply 
with  force  to  civil  society,  and  show  the  import- 
ance of  great  and  good  men  to  a  people,  in  their 
national  capacity ;  they  apply  with  much  greater 
force  to  the  church,  "  the  Israel  of  God." 
Here  purity  of  principle,  and  holiness  of  practice, 
are  not  only  important  as  means  of  good  ',  but  they 
form  the  essence  of  all  real  prosperity.  A  church 
is  always  strong  in  direct  proportion  to  the 
number  of  sincere  friends  of  truth  and  piety 
which  she  embraces  in  her  bosom.  When  the 
number  of  these  is  diminished,  her  strength  and 
glory  are  always  in  precisely  the  same  proportion 
diminished.  And  when  they  are  all  removed, 
her  true  beauty  and  honour  are  no  more. 


Funeral  Sermon.  371 

Thus  it  api^ears  that  the  great  and  the  good 
are  the  strength  and  glory  of  any  community. 
It  follows, 

II.  That  when  they  are  taken  away, 

WE      HAVE      REASON      TO     BEWAIL,       THEIR 
LOSS. 

We  have  reason  to  bewail  their  loss,  not  on 
their  own  account ;  but  on  the  account  of  our- 
selves, the  church,  and  the  world.  We  have 
reason  to  mourn,  not  that  they  are  liberated  from 
the  weakness  and  the  pain,  the  sin  and  the  suf- 
fering, of  this  apostate  world,  and  gone  to  heaven. 
Wot  that  their  days  of  trial  are  ended,  and  that 
they  have  reached  their  eternal  home,  where  there 
is  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  crying^ 
neither  any  more  pain  ;  but  fulness  of  joy,  and 
pleasures  for  evermore^.  In  all  these  things,  we 
have  rather  reason  to  rejoice.  The  departing 
samt  may,  with  propriety,  say  to  every  mourning 
survivor,  If  ye  love  me,  ye  will  rejoice,  because  £ 
go  to  my  Father.  Weep  not  for  me,  but  weep  for 
yourselves,  and  for  your  children^.  But  m  all 
such  cases  we  have  reason  to  mourn  that  we 

•  J?ei;,xx,  4.  Pse.  xvJ.  11.     t /o/^7ixiv.28.  Luke^yXuZ9. 


37'2  Funeral  Sermon. 

have  lost  their  presence,  their  instructions,  their 
example,  and  their  prayers.  We  have  reason  to 
lament,  that  a  part  of  what  formed  the  defence  and 
the  glory  of  the  nation  is  taken  away.  Though 
Aaron  lived  to  a  great  age,  and,  beyond  all 
doubt,  made  a  happy  exchange  at  his  death ;  yet, 
when  all  the  coru/regation  saw  that  Aaron  7vas 
deady  they  mourned  for  him  thirty  daysy  even  all 
the  house  of  Israel^,  The  life  of  Moses  was 
prolonged  to  one  hundred  and  twenty  years,  and 
no  believer  in  Israel  doubted,  for  a  moment,  that 
his  departure  was  a  translation  to  a  more  holy 
and  a  more  happy  world.  Yet  the  children  of 
Israel  wept  for  Moses,  in  the  plains  of  Moah, 
thirty  days'f.  In  like  manner,  Stephen,  the  first 
martyr,  though  he  died  in  holy  triumph,  seeing, 
before  his  departure,  the  heavens  opened,  and  Je- 
sus  standing  on  the  right  hand  of  GodX ;  and 
though  his  brethren  had  the  highest  possible  evi- 
dence that  he  had  departed  to  he  with  Christ, 
whch  was  far  better  than  a  residence  on  earth; 
yet  devout  men  carried  Stephen  to  his  burial,  and 
made  great  lamentation  over  him^.  In  all  these 
cases,  the  mourning  was  not  over  the  destiny  of 

♦  JMumb.  XX.  29.     f  DeiU,  xxxiv.  8.     \  Acts  vii.  55 — 60. 
^  Acts  viii.  2. 


Funeral  Sermon.  373 

the  departed  saint;  for  that  was  glorious  and 
happy ;  but  it  was  OTer  the  public  bereavement 
and  loss.  It  was  the  same  consideration  which 
led  the  Psalmist  to  cry  out,  under  similar  circum- 
stances, Help,  Lord,  for  the  godly  man  ceaseth  ; 
for  the  foitJif'ul  foil  from  among  the  children  of 
men*. 

We  are  not,  however,  so  to  mourn,  for  the  de- 
parture of  the  great  and  the  good,  as  to  admit 
any  feelings  of  despair  for  the  cause  of  Christ. 
No,  brethren ;  we  may  tremble  for  ourselves ; 
but  we  may  not  tremble  for  the  ark  of  God.  It 
can  never  be  lost;  it  can  never  be  destroyed. 
We  may,  and  ought  to  mourn,  as  over  a  public 
calamity,  when  the  king  of  Zion  appears  to  frown 
upon  our  nation,  or  upon  any  nation,  by  remov- 
ing those  distinguished  men,  who  have  formed  an 
important  part  of  its  human  defence.  We  may, 
and  ought  to  mourn,  when  the  stability  or  the 
purity  of  any  particular  portion  of  the  church 
is  threatened,  by  the  death  of  those  who  have 
been  its  best  ornaments,  and  its  most  worthy 
champions.  Every  Jew,  who  wished  well  to  his 
nation,  had  reason  to  mourn,  when  the  word  of 

*  Psa,  xii.  It 


374  Puneral  Sermon, 

the  Lord  came  by  the  Prophet,  saying,  Behold, 
the  Lord,  the  Lord  of  hosts,  doth  take  arvay  from 
Jerusalem  and  from  Judah  the  stay  and  the  staff; 
the  TV  hole  stay  of  bread,  and  the  whole  stay  of 
water  ;  the  mighty  man,  and  the  man  of  war,  the 
judge,  and  the  prophet,  the  prudent  and  the  an- 
cient, the  honourable  man  and  the  counsellor; 
and  I  will  give  children  to  be  their  princes,  and 
babes  shall  rule  over  them*.  But  we  may  not 
mourn,  as  those  who  are  afraid  that  the  cause  of 
God  will  fail.  This  is  unbelief.  The  greatest 
and  the  best  of  men  may  be  taken  away ;  but 
the  Lord  liveth,  and  blessed  be  our  Mock  !  Those 
who  appear  to  be  the  props  of  society,  may  sink 
under  the  hand  of  time ;  but  Jesus  Christ,  who 
has  the  government  on  his  shoulder,  is  the  same 
yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever'\.  Yes,  my  breth- 
ren, if  those  venerable  lips,  which  are  now  sealed 
in  death,  were  able  to  address  you,  it  would  be 
to  say,  "  Fear  not;  Zion  is  safe!  Her  King  is  in 
"  the  midst  of  her  ;  she  shall  not  be  moved;  He 
"  shall  help  her,  and  that  right  early %.  Elijah 
"  and  Elisha  have  left  their  stations,  and  gone  to 
"  heaven.  Paul,  and  Apollos,  and  Cephas  are 
"  no  more.      But  the  Church  lives  and  grows. 

•  Isa,  Ui.  1 — 5.      t  ^cb,  xiii.  8.      i  Psalm  xlvi.  5. 


# 


Funeral  Sermon.  B75 

*^  Pastors  and  their  flocks  are  passing  away  in 
'^  quick  succession ;  but  the  cause  of  the  Re- 
"  deemer  will  endure  for  ever.  It  must  and  will 
"  triumph,  to  the  glory  of  the  eternal  Godhead. 
"  Sorrow  not,  there/ore,  as  those  which  have  no 
"  hope*     Be  not  afraid;  only  believe^ J^ 


From  the  doctrine  of  our  text,  thus  illustrated, 
we  may  infer — 

1.  That  every  individual,  without  exception, 
may,  if  he  be  so  disposed,  minister  to  the  welfare 
and  happiness  of  his  country,  and  thus  become  a 
public  blessing.  All  men,  indeed,  have  not  the 
same  talents.  To  some  are  given  ten ;  to 
others  live  ;  to  others  two ;  to  every  man  accord- 
ing to  the  sovereign  will  of  God.  But  to  all, 
without  exception,  there  are  given  talents  enough 
to  be  a  public  blessing,  if  there  be  an  heart  for 
the  purpose.  All  men,  it  is  granted,  cannot  be 
employed  in  the  great  affairs  of  state ;  in  organ- 
izing governments;  in  frammg  laws;  or  in 
conducting  negociations.  All  cannot  be  em- 
ployed in  preaching  the  Gospel ;  in  turning  men 
from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  kingdom  of 

*   1  ThesAy.  13.      Mark  \,  ^6, 


376  Funeral  Sermon. 

satan  to  God;  and  in  publicly  and  extensively 
building  up  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  But  all 
may  instruct,  by  their  conversation  ;  all  may  edi- 
fy, by  their  example ;  all  may  confer  a  social  be- 
nefit, by  their  prayers :  and  all  may  promote  the 
happiness  of  those  around  them,  by  exercising 
the  various  virtues  and  ofraces  which  belons:  to 
their  several  relations  in  life.  JEvery  man  who 
walks  in  this  course,  is  a  public  blessing.  He 
forms  a  part  of  the  defence  and  the  glory  of  the 
community  to  which  he  belongs.  Why,  then,  O 
why,  are  we  not  all  more  zealous  to  bear  this 
high  character  ?  Why  are  we  so  willing  to  crawl 
in  the  dust  of  indolence,  and  of  selfishness,  rather 
than  aspire  to  the  honour  of  being  public  bene- 
factors ?  Let  no  man  say,  that  he  cannot  aspire 
to  such  an  honour.  It  is  the  disgrace  and  the 
sin  of  any  man,  whatever  may  be  his  talents,  or 
whatever  his  circumstances,  if  the  world  is  not 
the  better  and  the  happier  for  his  having  lived. 

2.  From  the  doctrine  of  our  text  we  may  in- 
fer, that  the  daily  actions  of  our  lives  are  of 
more  importance  than  we  are  ready  to  imagine. 
The  greater  portion  of  mankind  appear  to  think 
that  the  community  have  no  interest  in  any 
other   part  of  their  conduct,  than  in  some  of 


Funeral  Serinon.  377 

the  more  public  and  formal  acts  of  their  lives. 
When  a  mag-istrate  discharges  any  official  func- 
tion; when  a  minister  is  called  to  any  public 
duty ;  or  when  a  common  citizen  attempts  to  ex- 
ercise a  civil  right; — it  is  universally  granted, 
that  these  acts  have  a  bearing  on  society,  as  well 
as  on  the  actors  themselves;  and  therefore,  that 
they  ought  to  be  performed  with  deliberation 
and  care.  But  with  respect  to  all  the  acts  of  in- 
dividual and  private  duty,  it  seems  to  be  sup- 
posed that  no  one  but  the  agent  himself  is  the 
better  or  the  worse  for  them.  This  is  not  only 
a  mistake,  but  a  dangerous  one.  It  is  not  ex- 
travagant to  pronounce,  that  all  we  say,  and 
all  we  do,  has  more  or  less  influence  on  so- 
ciety, as  well  as  on  ourselves.  Our  fidelity,  or 
the  reverse,  with  regard  to  the  most  private  and 
retu'ed  duty,  carries  with  it  a  blessing,  or  a  curse, 
as  the  case  may  be,  and  makes  us  the  one  or  the 
other  to  the  community  in  the  bosom  of  which  we 
live.  How  deliberate,  how  conscientious,  and 
how  prayerful,  ought  we  then  to  be,  not  only  in 
our  public  walks,  but  also  in  our  most  private 
ways;  remembering,  that  in  both  we  are  actiiig 
for  ourselves,  for  our  country,  and  for  the  church 
of  Christ ! 

48 


378  Funeral  Sermon. 

3.  From  the  representation  given  of  this  sub- 
ject we  may  also  infer,  that  when  the  wise  and 
the  good  are  taken  away,  it  is  incumbent  upon 
us  to  honour  them  in  their  death,  and  affection- 
atel}^  to  cherish  their  memory.  It  is  granted 
that  we  cannot  by  any  thing  of  this  kind  profit 
them.  They  are  exalted  to  a  world,  where  the 
honours  and  the  praises  of  earth  avail  them 
nothing.  But  we  owe  it  to  ourselves.  It  is  cal- 
culated to  promote  our  own  profit ;  to  keep  alive 
our  gratitude  o  God,  for  raising  up  and  form- 
ing such  instruments;  to  impress  more  deeply 
upon  our  minds,  the  important  declaration  made 
by  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  righteousness  exalteth  a 
7iation;  and  to  render  us  more  diligent  in  follow- 
ing the  example  of  those  who  have  trode  before 
us  the  path  of  usefulness  and  honour.  Remem- 
ber, says  the  apostle.  Remember  those  which  have 
had  the  ride  over  you,  rvho  have  spoken  unto  you 
the  word  of  God;  whose  faith  follow,  considering 
the  end  of  their  conversation*. 

To  this  duty,  God,  in  his  adorable  providence, 
now  calls  us.  The  departure  of  that  aged  and 
venerable  servant  or  Christ,  who,  in  the  course  of 
the  last  week,  lias  been  translated  from  the  Church 

*  Heb,  xiii.  7. 


Funeral  Sermdn,  379 

on  earth  to  the  Church  in  heaven,  is  an  event 
which  must  not  be  suffered  to  pass  unnoticed,  or 
unimproved.  It  is  an  event,  brethren,  which 
forms  an  epoch  highly  interesting-  to  you  and  to 
me.  Let  us  reflect  on  his  character.  Let  us  in- 
quire how  he  served  his  generation.  And  while 
we  adore  the  grace  and  the  providence  of  God, 
who  made  him  what  he  was  -,  who  gave  him  to 
us;  and  who  continued  him  so  long  a  public 
blessing,  let  us  strive  to  follow^  him,  as  he  follow- 
ed Christ. 

You  will  not  expect  me,  at  present,  to  enter 
into  a  detail  of  the  life  and  character  of  your 
late  excellent  Pastor.  Besides  that  it  would  be 
impossible  to  do  justice  to  such  an  undertaking 
in  the  bounds  of  a  single  discourse,  it  is  my 
purpose,  with  the  leave  of  providence,  to  at- 
tempt this  hereafter,  in  another  and  more  ex- 
tended form.  In  the  mean  time,  let  it  suffice 
to  give  such  a  hasty  and  general  outline  of  his 
history,  talents,  and  services,  as  may  prepare  the 
way  for  some  practical  reflections  on  the  termi- 
nation of  his  labours*. 

*  Here  followed  a  brief  abstract  of  the  history  contained 
in  the  preceding  part  of  his  volume  ;  vhich,  for  obvioitfi 
reasons,  it  istnou^ht  propei  to  emit  here. 


380  Funeral  Sermon, 

With  respect  to  the  character  and  the  success 
of  his  labours  as  your  Pastor,  I  need  not  say 
much.  Many  present  have  known  them  much 
longer,  and  much  better,  than  the  speaker;  and 
all,  1  trust,  have  so  deep  an  impression  of  their 
value,  as  to  render  detail  and  the  language  of 
panegyric  equally  unnecessary.  Suffice  it  to 
say,  that,  for  near  forty-six  years,  he  laboured 
among  you  in  the  gospel ;  and  that,  from  the 
period  of  his  arrival,  our  church  has  been,  al- 
most uniformly,  in  a  course  of  progressive  en- 
largement. He  laboured,  not  in  that  sparing, 
niggardly  manner,  which  indicated  an  aim  mere- 
ly to  maintain  a  respectable  standing,  and  to  sa- 
tisfy public  expectation  ;  but  with  that  earnest, 
persevering,  unwearied  diligence,  in  season  and 
out  of  season,  which  evinced  a  heart  glowing 
With  love  to  his  Master  and  his  work;  and 
which  showed,  that  his  object  was  to  gain,  not 
yours,  hvXyou  : — not  to  attract  your  admiration ; 
not  to  be  called  of  men.  Rabbi,  Rabbi ;  but  to 
promote,  by  every  mean  in  his  power,  your  tem- 
poral and  eternal  happiness. 

Yes,  brethren,  for  you  he  studied  and  preach- 
ed.    For  YOU  he  watched  and  prayed.     In  deep 


Funeral  Sermmu  381 

anxiety  for  your  welfare,  he  passed  many  a  toil- 
some day,  and  many  a  sleepless  night.  To  YOUR 
benefit  he  affectionatelv  devoted  all  the  vigour  of 
his  powers  for  near  half  a  century  :  and  the  last 
audible  prayer  that  he  addressed  to  the  throne 
of  grace,  the  evening  before  his  departure,  was 
chiefly  employed  m  imploring  a  blessing  upon 
YOU.  If  ever  a  people  were  indebted  to  a  faith- 
ful minister,  you,  my  brethren,  owe  a  large  debt 
of  gratitude  to  that  apostolic  man !  He  has  been, 
under  God,  your  father,  your  guide,  the  healer 
of  your  divisions,  your  builder  up,  in  the  most 
dark  and  trying  times.  Nor  is  it  less  an  honour 
to  yourselves,  than  to  the  venerable  deceased, 
that  you  have  manifested  a  deep  and  grateful 
sense  of  his  eminent  services,  by  cherishing  his 
declining  years ;  by  granting  him,  w  ithout  any 
deduction,  his  usual  temporal  support,  when  he 
was  no  longer  able  to  labour  for  you;  and  by 
affectionately  honourmg  his  memory. 

In  every  station  which  he  filled,  and  in  every 
relation  which  he  bore  in  lite,  he  wasexemj)lary, 
beloved,  honoured,  and  uselul.  As  a  husband, 
a  father,  a  master,  a  friend,  and  a  member  of 
civil  society,  seiuom,  very  seiiiom,  has  any  man 


382  Funeml  Sermon. 

left  a  character  more  universally  excellent  and 
respectable.  In  every  work  of  benevolence  he 
was  forward  and  active.  Of  almost  all  the  as- 
sociations for  pious  and  charitable  purposes  in 
our  city,  he  was  a  leading  and  zealous  member. 
With  all  denominations  of  Christians,  he  delight- 
ed to  cultivate  a  spirit  of  harmony  and  affection. 
And  that  he  was,  in  return,  pre-eminently  res- 
pected by  all  denominations,  we  had  a  most 
pleasing  testimony  on  that  solemn  day,  on  which 
we  consigned  his  remains  to  the  house  appointed 
for  all  living. 

But  time  would  fail  me  to  speak  in  detail,  of 
the  multiplied  services  which  he  performed ;  of 
the  many  important  stations  wiiich  he  filled  with 
honour ;  and  of  the  uniformity,  the  dignity,  the 
urbanity,  and  the  prudence  which  he  displayed 
in  them  all.  In  whatever  point  of  light  we  con- 
template his  character,  we  behold  something  to. 
admire,  to  venerate,  and  to  love.  In  every  walk 
of  life  we  behold  him  acting:  under  the  influence 
of  that  apostolic  maxim.  For  none  of  us  liveth  to 
himself  and  no  man  dieth  to  himself;  for  whether 
we  live^  we  live  unto  the  Lord,  or  whether  we  die, 


Funeral  Sermon*  388 

we  die  unto  the  Lord ;  whether  we  live,  thereforey 
or  die,  we  are  the  Lord  '5*. 

But  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel  was  his  beloved 
employment ;  and  to  discharge  the  duties  of  this 
sacred  office  with  fidelity,  zeal,  and  success,  was 
his  highest  ambition.      To  this  great  work,  all 
the  powers  of  his  mind,  and  all  the  stores  of  his 
information,  were  conscientiously  devoted.    Even 
when  travelling  abroad,  amidst  the  convulsions 
of  war,  and  when  bound  by  no  pastoral  ties,  he 
never  omitted  an  opportunity  of  appearing  in  his 
ministerial    character,   and  of  preaching  Christ 
crucified  to  all  who  were  willing  to   hear.      He 
went  through  the  towns  and  villages  of  our  coun- 
try with  apostolic  zeal,  proclaiming  the  Gospel 
of   the   kingdom,  and  striving  to  win   souls  to 
Christ.     His  preaching  was  always  of  that  evan- 
gelical, fervent,  practical   kind,    which  is    best 
adapted,  by  the  Divine  blessing,  to  impress    and 
to  profit  the  souls  of  men.     He  was,  emphatical- 
ly, a  champion  of  the   cross ;  a  burning  and  a 
shining  light.      His  labours  every  where  com- 
manded the  respect  and  the  affections  of  the  pi- 
ous.     From  JSeiV'  Hampshire  to  Georgia,  the  af- 

*  Rom,  xiv.  7,  8. 


384  Funeral  Sermon^ 

fectionate  remembrance,  and  the  liappy  fruits 
of  his  ministrations  are,  in  many  places,  still  to  be 
found. 

Nor  were  his  labours,  as  a  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel, confined  to  the  pulpit.  He  taught yiom  house 
to  house.  He  was  unwearied  in  instructing  the 
ignorant,  in  comforting  the  afflicted,  in  praying 
with  the  sick  and  dying,  and  in  promoting  peace 
among  all  to  whom  his  influence  extended. 
Many  of  you,  my  brethren,  can  tell,  from  your 
own  experience,  with  what  tenderness  he  inter- 
ested himself  in  your  joys  and  sorrows;  with 
what  affection  he  hastened  to  your  dwellings, 
when  sickness  or  bereavement  made  them  houses 
of  mourning ;  and  how  remarkably  he  was  the 
pastor  as  well  as  the  preacher,  to  all  under  his 
care.  One  of  the  maxims  upon  which  he  acted, 
was,  never  to  go  into  any  company,  and  never 
to  make  even  the  shortest  social  visit,  without 
leaving  some  testimony  for  God;  without  drop- 
ping something  to  extend  the  knowledge,  and  to 
recommend  the  service  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

In  these  diversified  and  important  labours,  he 
persevered  with  extraordinary  veal  and  diligence, 
as  long  as  he  had  strength  to  perform  them.    And 


Funeral  Sermon.  385 

when  he  beoan  to  sink  under  the  infirmities  of 
age,  his  chief  regret  alwajs  appeared  to  be,  not 
of  a  selfish  kind ;  but  that  he  no  longer  had 
strength,  as  formerly,  to  labour  for  his  beloved 
Master.  This  he  expressed  so  often  and  so 
strongly,  that  it  was  impossible  not  to  believe  it 
to  be  the  sentiment  of  his  inmost  soul.  It  was 
his  daily  prayer  that  he  might  not  outlive  his  use- 
fulness. And  who  will  venture  to  say  that  his 
prayer  was  not  heard  and  granted  ?  For  although 
he  outlived  that  strength  which  enabled  him  to 
take  a  part  in  the  public  ministiations  of  the 
sanctuary  -,  yet  he  did  not  outlive  his  holy  exam- 
ple. He  did  not  outlive  the  most  affectionate 
concern y  and  the  most  fervent  prayers,  for  the 
welfare  of  his  beloved  people,  and  the  prosperity 
of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 

The  closing  scene  was  such  as  might  have 
been  expected  after  such  a  life.  It  was  serene 
and  unclouded.  Even  when  the  powers  of  his 
mind  failed  him  on  every  other  subject,  he  mani- 
fested the  most  distinct  apprehension,  and  the 
most  unwavering  firmness,  of  christian  hope. 
The  glory  of  Christ,  the  fulness  and  freeness 
of  his  salvation,  and  the  blessedness  of  his 
eternal  kingdom, — were  his  favourite  topics  of 

19 


386  Funeral  Sermon, 

discourse,  as  long*  as  he  was  able  to  speak  at 
all.  And  in  speaking  of  them,  he  appeared  to 
be  elevated,  at  once,  above  bodily  pain,  and  all 
worldly  anxieties  and  fears.  Blessed  Religion ! 
the  solace  of  life !  the  sweetener  of  labour !  the 
consolation  of  the  afflicted  !  the  antepast  of  hea- 
ven !  Thrice  blessed  Religion !  why,  O  why  is  it 
not  more  eagerly  sought,  and  more  largely  and 
habitually  enjoyed? 

At  length,  worn  out  with  age,  and  loaded  with 
the  best  of  all  honours,  the  honour  of  having 
served  his  generation  hy  the  will  of  God*,  in  the 
63d  year  of  his  ministry,  and  in  the  84th  of  his 
age,  he  expired,  in  the  arms  of  an  affectionate 
family  and  people ;  and  was  translated,  as  we 
trust,  according  to  the  gracious  promise,  to  shine 
as  a  star  in  the  firmament  of  glory  for  ever  and 
ever. 

With  respect  to  the  obligations  which  I  per- 
sonally owe  to  the  memory  of  our  departed 
Father,  this  is  not  the  place  to  recount  or  to 
acknowledge  them  in  detail.  Bound  by  the  ties 
of  early  friendship,  and  of  ministerial  intercourse^ 

*  Jets  xiii.  36. 


Funeral  Sermon,  387 

with  my  honoured  father*  according  to  the  flesh, 
he  kindly  and  tenderly  took  his  son  by  the  hand, 
and  bestowed  on  him  a  degree  of  affection  and 
confidence,  truly  parental,  to  the  end  of  life. 
Yes,  my  brethren,  in  his  death,  I  have  lost  a 
father,  as  well  as  yourselves !  When  I  cast  an 
eye  backward  for  a  few  years,  a  thousand  ten- 
der recollections  crowd  into  my  mind.  The  ju- 
dicious counsels,  and  faithful  support,  with  which 
he  honoured  me,  when  I  came  to  you,  an  inex- 
perienced youth ;  together  with  all  the  countless 
official,  as  w  ell  as  personal  benefits  which  I  have 
received  from  him,  in  the  course  of  seventeen 
years,  can  never  be  forgotten,  while  I  have  a 
heart  to  feel — But  I  forbear — To  have  been  to- 
tally silent  on  this  subject,  would  have  been  un- 
grateful.— To  pursue  it  further,  would  be  an  un- 
seasonable obtrusion  of  private  feeling,  on  public 
duty. 


*  The  distairce  between  the  residence  of  Doctor  Rodgcrs-, 
and  that  of  the  writer's  Father,  both  in  the  state  oi  Delaware^ 
was  about  26  miles.  And,  though  they  belonged  to  dif- 
ferent Presbyteries,  and  differed  in  opinion  on  some  points 
of  ecclesiastical  order,  they  were  united  in  aflfectionate 
friendship,  and  had  much  official  intercourse,  especially  on. 
sacramental  occasions. 


38 S  Fmieral  Sermon, 

With  the  family  and  friends  of  the  deceased, 
we  affectionately  sympathize.  Under  the  cir- 
cumstances in  which  his  happy  translation  oc- 
curred, they  have  more  reason  to  rejoice  than  to 
weep.  Their  consolations  are  as  many  and  great 
as  can  attend  the  departure  of  an  heir  of  glory. 
May  the  bright  example,  and  the  many  prayers 
which  he  has  left  them  as  a  legacy,  be  made  a 
rich  blessing  to  them,  in  time  and  eternity !  And 
may  they  all  be  prepared,  at  length,  to  follow 
him  to  those  mansions,  in  which  he  now  rests 
from  his  labours  I 

But,  while  we  cherish  the  memory  of  this  ex- 
cellent Man,  there  are  various  duties  resulting 
from  his  departure,  which  it  becomes  survivors, 
and  especially  all  of  us,  who  were  so  closely 
united  with  him,  to  recollect,  and  to  ponder  in 
our  hearts.  To  every  class  of  those  who  were 
placed,  by  the  providence  of  God,  under  his 
pastoral  charge,  this  event  speaks  in  language 
of  the  most  impressive  kind. 

To  such  of  you,  my  brethren,  as  remain  unre- 
conciled to  God,  and  of  course,  strangers  to  the 
faith  and  the  hope  of  his  people,  the  death  of 


Funeral  Sermon.  389 

your  ag'ed  pastor,  is  an  event  of  the  most  solemn 
nature,  and  ought  deeply  to  affect  your  hearts. 
He  has  gone  to  give  in  an  account  of  his  minis- 
try; and  in  a  little  while  you  will  follow  him  te 
the  same  bar,  to  give  an  account  of  the  manner 
in  which  you  have  received  his  ministrations  in 
the  Lord.  Yes,  brethren,  he  has  done  with  his 
earthly  labours ;  but  be  assured  you  have  not 
done  with  them.  The  solemn  account  between 
God  and  you,  for  having  enjoyed  them,  is  yet  to 
be  settled.  O  brethren !  if  you  remain  strangers 
to  the  grace  of  the  gospel,  how  will  you  bear  to 
meet  him  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ  P 
How  will  you  bear  to  behold  his  venerable  form 
there  standing  as  a  witness  against  you  ?  How 
will  you  bear  to  recollect  his  entreaties,  his  warn- 
ings, his  exhortations,  his  prayers,  in  that  great 
day  of  the  Lord  ?  Better,  infinitely  better  for  you, 
that  you  had  never  been  born,  than  meet  him  in 
your  present  condition  !  Brethren !  let  the  death 
of  your  pastor  sink  deep  mto  your  hearts !  Let 
this  solemn  event  be  found  the  means  of  making 
that  saving  impression  upon  you,  which  his  life 
and  his  labours  failed  of  effecting.  It  is  the  last 
of  those  things  concerning  him  for  which  you 
must  give  an  account.  God  grant  that  you  may 
give  it  7vith  joy,  and  not  with  grief!  God  grant 


390  Funeral  Sermon, 

that  you  may  have  grace  given  you  to  take  re- 
fuge in  the  Saviour;  and  then  you  will  meet 
Him,  as  well  as  his  Servant,  at  last,  with  joy  un- 
speakable and  full  of  glory  / 

My  AGED  FRIENDS,  who  have  not  yet  come 
to  Christ,  that  ye  might  have  life,  what  shall  I 
say  to  you,  on  this  solemn  occasion  ?  When  I  re- 
collect how  many  years  you  have  set  under  the 
droppings  of  the  sanctuary  -,  and  how  many  warn- 
ings, as  well  as  intreaties,  you  have  received  from 
the  lips  of  that  man  of  God,  whose  mortal  re- 
mains you  lately  followed  to  the  grave;  and  that 
all  these  have  been  hitherto  in  vain ;  I  am  almost 
ready  to  sink  under  discouragement,  and  to  say, 
What  benefit  can  be  expected  from  any  address 
or  ministration  of  mine,  when  such  means  have 
failed  ?  And,  truly,  were  human  strength  the 
ground  of  hope,  I  might  sit  down  in  despair. 
But  when  I  remember  that  it  is  God  who  giveth 
the  increase  ;  and  that  the  feeblest  means,  by  the 
power  and  grace  of  the  King  of  Zion,  may  be 
rendered  effectual ;  I  am  encouraged  still  to 
speak  in  his  name,  and  to  look  up  to  Him  for  a 
blessing  on  what  shall  be  said.  Let  me  ask,  then, 
my  aged  friends,  how  do  you  feel,  now  that  he 
whom  you  have  so  long  venerated  iis  your  Friend 


Funeral  Sermon,  391 

and  Minister  is  gone  ?    How  do  you  feel,  when 
you  remember  that  his  long  and  faithful  labours 
are  finally  closed  ;  and  that  you  must,  according 
to  the  course  of  nature,  very  soon  follow  him  to 
the  eternal  world,  there  to  answer  for  the  im- 
provement you  have  made  of  them?  Let  me  in- 
treat  you  to  consider  your  ways.     The  day  is  far 
spent :  the  shadows  of  the  evening  admonish  you 
that  there  is  but  little  time  remaining.      What 
you  have  to  do  must  be  done  quickly,  or  it  will 
be  for  ever  too  late!  For  what  are  you  waiting? 
Alas !  delay  in  the  great  concerns  of  eternity  is, 
in  any  case,  dangerous ;  but  in  YOU  it  is  infatua- 
tion ;  it  is  death.     Trifle  not,  1  beseech  you,  a 
moment  longer.       Accept    without   delay  that 
Saviour,  whom  your  late  pastor  so  often  and  so 
affectionately  offered  to  you.    And  then,  your  set- 
ting sun,  like  his,  will  be  serene  and  full  of  glory ! 

My  YOUNG  FRIENDS  of  this  Congregation ! 
The  departure  of  your  aged  Father  addresses 
itself  in  very  solemn  language  to  you.  He  loved 
your  parents.  Over  the  dying  pillows  of  many 
of  them  he  wept  and  prayed  ;  and  their  precious 
remains  he  followed  to  the  silent  grave*.      He 

*  When  Dr.  Rodger s  died,  there  was  only  one  person 
remaining,  who  was  a  member  in  full  communion  with  the 
church  in  JSTcw-Yorky  when  he  took  charge  of  it,  in  1 765. 


392  Funeral  Sermon, 

baptised  and  he  loved  you :  and  deep  and  pa- 
ternal was  the  solicitude  which  he  manifested  for 
your  eternal  welfare.  Often  he  prayed  for  you  in 
secret ;  and  often,  very  often,  have  I  heard  him,  in 
the  solemn  assembly,  warning  you  Xojieefrom  the 
wrath  to  come;  entreating  you  to  lai/  hold  on 
eternal  life  ;  and  appealing  to  your  consciences, 
and  your  hearts,  whether  you  could  bear  to  be 
separated  from  your  parents;  and,  while  they 
lived  and  reigned  with  Chiistfor  ever,  to  be  ban- 
ished eternally  from  their  society  and  their  God? 
O,  my  beloved  young  friends!  shall  not  these 
warnings  and  appeals  now  rise  before  you,  and 
make  an  impression  which  they  have  never  yet 
done  ?  By  and  by  you  must  all  meet  that  venera- 
ble Ambassador,  in  an  assembly  infinitely  more 
solemn  than  the  present ;  infinitely  more  solemn 
than  any  that  you  can  witness  here  below,  I  be- 
seech, I  conjure,  I  charge  you,  not  to  meet  him 
without  having  first  become  reconciled  to  his 
God  and  Saviour;  without  having  first  secured  an 
interest  in  that  inheritance,  of  which  he  now 
knows  more  than  ever  the  unspeakable  value. 

To  the  SINCERE    FOLLOWERS  OF  CHRIST  in 

this  congregation,  the  occasion  and  the  subject 
speak  the  most  tender  language.      My  brethren 


Funeral  Sermon,  393 

in  the  Lord !  many  of  yon,  under  God,  owe  your 
awakening,  and  your  introduction  to  the  king- 
dom of  Christ,  to  the  beloved  minister  who  has 
just  left  us;  and  many  more  have  reason  to  bless 
his  memory  to  all  eternity  for  that  instruction, 
comfort,  and  edification  which  he  was  made  the 
means  of  imparting  to  your  hearts.  He  is  gone ; 
gone  to  his  Father,  and  our  Father,  to  his  God, 
and  our  God,  But  he  has  left  you  much 
to  remember  with  the  liveliest  gratitude  and 
joy.  Cherish  the  memory  of  his  virtues  and 
graces,  as  well  as  of  his  labours  ;  and  strive 
to  be  followers  of  him,  as  he  followed  Christ. 
Though  dead,  he  yet  speaketh.  Though  his  cold 
lips  have  ceased  to  proclaim  the  messages  of 
grace,  and  his  withered  hand  to  point  out  the 
road  to  life ;  yet  his  example,  his  instructions,  and 
his  prayers,  remain  on  record.  Let  us  all  study  to 
profit  by  them  while  we  live ;  and  to  let  our  pro- 
fiting appear  unto  all.  Let  us  remember  how 
we  have  received  and  heard,  and  hold  fast,  and 
repent. 

My  BRETHREN  IN  OFFICE  in  this  church ! 
the  death  of  our  aged  pastor  devolves  upon  us 
new  duties,  and  new  obligations.  Let  us  lay 
them  to  heart  with  much  seriousness  ;  and  en- 

50 


394  Funeral  Sermon. 

de^vour,  from  this  time  forth,  with  greater 
zeal  and  fidelity  than  ever,  to  discharge  them.  Is 
our  Head  taken  away  ?  and  are  we,  now,  to  be 
considered  as  the  chariots  and  the  horsemen  of 
this  our  Israel?  How  mighty  our  trust!  how 
awfully  responsible  our  station  !  how  much 
prayer,  watchfulness,  and  labour  will  be  required 
of  us  !  what  care  in  feeding  the  sheep  and  the 
lambs  of  Christ !  what  prudence  and  firmness  in 
g-overnment!  what  holy  circumspection  in  our 
daily  example! — I  am  left,  with  all  my  weak- 
ness, to  serve  alone. — Alone,  I  mean,  as  to  any 
human  partner  in  my  pastoral  labours.  But  the 
God  of  all  grace  will  not,  I  trust,  leave  me  alone> 
as  to  his  Divine  presence  and  aid,  in  the  new 
and  trying'  circumstances  in  which  I  am  hence- 
forth to  be  placed.  Nor  can  I  admit,  for  a  mo- 
ment, the  apprehension,  that  you  will  withhold 
from  me  that  kind  indulgence,  and  those  fervent 
prayers,  which  I  shall  so  much  and  so  constantly 
need.  And,  Oh,  if  the  smallest  portion  of  the 
mantle  of  the  ascended  prophet  might  fall  on  his 
feeble  successor,  how  much  reason  should  we 
have  to  rejoice,  and  anticipate  a  blessing ! 

For  these  purposes,  let  us  all  be  unceasingly 
engaged  at  the  throne  of  grace.     The  same  God, 


Funeral  Sermon,  395 

I  trust,  who  has  hitherto  blessed  and  led  us  on, 
will  continue  to  bless  and  guide  us  still.  And, 
O  ye  children  of  God  !  look  forward  with  joy  to 
that  world,  where  the  followers  of  the  Lamb 
shall  be  united  in  one  body,  under  their  glorious 
Head :  where  Elijah  and  Elisha  shall  sit  down 
together :  where  Prophets  and  Apostles,  Pastors 
and  their  redeemed  people,  shall  meet,  and  never 
again  separate.  There  may  we  all  be  prepared 
to  meet  our  departed  father,  and  to  rejoice  with 
him  for  ever!  Amen  ! 


3b 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES. 


-J. 


ADDITIONAL  NOTES. 

No.  I. 

Page.  31.  A  few  leaves  of  tJiis  inestimahle 
work  fell  into  the  hands  of  a  ivealthy  planter^  ^c. 
Facts  of  this  kind,  and  they  are  by  no  means  few, 
serve  to  place  in  a  very  strong  light  the  utility  and 
importance  of  religious  tract  societies. 
Among  the  various  means  used  for  disseminating 
Divine  truth,  scarcely  any  seem  better  adapted 
to  promote  this  great  and  good  work,  than  the 
judicious  and  extensive  dispersion  of  religious 
TRACTS.  Many  may  be  induced  to  read  a  tract 
of  a  few  leaves,  who  could  scarcely  be  prevailed 
upon  to  peruse  a  volume.  And  the  same  sum 
that  would  purchase  a  volume,  of  ordinary  size, 
to  place  in  a  single  hand,  would  purchase  a 
sufficient  number  of  excellent  tracts,  to  place  in, 
at  least,  one  hundred  hands.  The  good 
which  may,  under  God,  be  done  in  this  way,  is  in*- 
calculable.  A  small  fragment  of  a  book,  or  a 
tract  of  ten  or  a  dozen  pages,  and  which  may- 
be procured,  by  the  quantity,  for  a  single  cent, 


IN 


400  Additional  Notes. 

may  be  made  the  means,  as  we  have  seen  in  the 
case  above  stated,  of  awakening  and  conversion, 
in  the  first  instance,  to  one  or  more  individuals ; 
of  soon  exciting"  a  thirst  for  religious  knowledge 
in  a  neighbourhood  ;  and  ultimately  of  introdu- 
cing the  Gospel  into  a  large  district  of  country ; 
and  thus  of  imparting  to  thousands  everlasting 
blessedness ! 

The  following  facts  will  speak  to  the  pious 
and  feeling  mind  with  more  force,  than  any  rea- 
soning which  the  writer  can  employ  on  the  sub- 
ject. They  are  communications  from  persons 
who  have  paid  particular  attention  to  this  sub- 
ject, and  have  been  honoured  as  the  instruments 
of  doing  much  good  by  the  distribution  of  tracts. 
A  volume  might  be  tilled  with  similar  aocounts; 
but  these  must  suffice. 

^*  In  a  late  short  journey,  I  was  pleased  with 
**  the  manner  in  which  some  small  publications 
"  I  took  with  me,  were  received  by  persons  in 
*•  many  places.  In  some  of  them  I  stopped,  and 
introduced  the  delivery  with  a  short  address, 
which  I  found  often  had  a  good  effect.  I  now 
**  and  then  saw  a  tear  start  in  the  eye,  and  grati- 
"  tude  beam  in  the  countenance.     In  most  cases. 


Additional  Notes.  461 

"  I  exhorted  the  person  to  whom  I  presented  a 
"  tract,  to  read  it  with  attention,  and  pray  to  God 

"  for  a  blessing.     Once  in  my  way  to ,  I 

"  passed  a  poor  man  employed  in  mending  the 
"  road.  I  stopped  my  horse,  and  addressed  him 
"  affectionately  respecting  the  great  concerns  of 
"  his  soul  and  eternity.  I  gave  him  a  small 
"  tract,  and  begged  him  to  read  it,  and  pray  over 
*<  it,  which  he  promised  to  do.  Li  a  few  days  I 
"  returned  the  same  way,  and  providentially  met 
"  with  the  same  poor  man.  I  inquired  whether 
**  he  had  read  the  little  book  I  gave  him.  He 
"  began  to  weep,  and  humbly  replied,  *  I  have^ 
"  Sir,  and  thank  you  for  it.  I  have  learned 
"  what  I  did  not  know  before,  and  what  I  hope  t 
-'  shall  never  forget.'  " 

"  About  twelve  months  since  a  person  tlius  ad- 
**  dressed  me — *  Sir,  do  you  remember,  about 
^'  two  years  ago,  giving  some  little  books  about 

*^  religion  to  persons  on  the  road  to —  ?'   I 

"  replied,  that  1  perfectly  well  recollected  dis- 
"  tributing  some  hundreds  in  that  neighbourhood, 
**  about  that  time.  *  Yes,  Sir,'  said  he,  <  and 
"  you  called  a  poor  man  from  a  field,  where  he 
*"*  was  working,  and  asked  him  if  he  could  read; 

^1 


40^  Additional  Notes. 

^*  he  said,  No.      You  inquired  if  his  children 

**  could  read ',  he  replied  in  the  affirmative.     You 

**"  gave  him  some  Tracts ;  he  took  them  home ; 

"  his  children  read  them  to  him — the  Lord  bless- 

"  ed  them  to  his  soul.     His  eyes  were  enlighten- 

"  ed,  his  heart  aft'ected,  and  his  mind  filled  with 

"  sorrow.      He   sought  retirement,   poured   out 

"  his  soul  before  God,  and  became  a  new  crea- 

^*  ture  in  Christ  Jesus;  has  joined  a  church,  and 

"  now,  with  his  wife  and  children,  appears  to  be 

"  following  the  Lamb.'       I  was  deeply  impress- 

"  ed  with  this  account,  and  intimated  a  wish  to 

"  see  him.     He  was  soon  informed  of  it,  and 

"  sent  to  request  that  I   would   preach   in  tlie 

"  neighbourhood.      I  rode  out  accordingly,  and 

"  preached  at  a  farmer's  house,  where  an  aged 

"  woman  had  been  for   many  years  a  cripple, 

"  and  incapable  of  hearing  the  Gospel  out  of  her 

"  own  house.     I  continue  to  preach  there  to  this 

"  day ;  and  have  every  reason  to  believe,  that  the 

"  old  woman,  aged  eighty  years,  her  son,  the 

"  farmer,  and  one  of  their  neighbours,  are  truly 

"  converted  to  God  through  Jesus  Christ  our 

"  liOrd.     Such  has  been  the  blessed  result  of  a 

"  few  Tracts  casually  dispersed  in  the  most  bar- 

*'  ren  parts  of  — '^ 


Additional  Notes,  40S 

^*  A  pious  and  benevolent  lady,  who  had  been 
**  intrusted  by  the  committee  of  a  Tract  Society 
"  with  a  large  number  of  their  publications, 
"  writes  thus — *  It  will  be  gratifying  to  the 
"  Committee  to  learn  that  the  liberality  with 
"  which  they  have  permitted  me  to  disperse  their 
"  Tracts  in  this  place  has  not  been  in  vain.  Aa 
"  evident  blessing  has  accompanied  their  distri- 
"  bution.  Through  the  medium  of  one  of  them, 
"  a  soldier  in  one  of  the  regiments  stationed  here, 
"  marked  among  those  who  knew  him  as  a  most 
profane  and  wicked  man,  has  been  stopped  in 
his  career  of  iniquity,  led  to  forsake  the  broad 
"  road  in  which  he  was  walking,  and  enabled,  it 
**  is  hoped,  to  seek  and  find  the  narrow  path 
"  which  leads  to  everlasting  life.  His  former 
"  wicked  companions  have  in  vain  solicited  him 
"  to  return  to  their  society ;  while  those  few  of 
**  his  comrades  who  ar€  themselves  religious,  be- 
"  holding  the  greatness  of  his  change,  exclaim, 
"  < What  hath  God  wrought!  it  is  his  work,  and 
,«V  wonderful  in  our  eyes !'  Another  soldier,  it  is 
"  hoped,  has  been  truly  awakened  to  a  sense  of 
**  his  sinfulness,  by  reading  in  a  Tract  entitled, 
^*  'Short  Sermons,'  the  address  on  the  text— - 
"  *  Without  holiness  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord.' 
'*  It  was  put  into  his  hands  when  Hck  in  the  ho?* 


404  Additional  Notes. 

"  pital,  and  by  it  he  was  convinced  that  he  was, 
♦'  both  by  nature  and  practice,  destitute  of  all  ho- 
"  liiiess,  and  consequently  without  hope  towards 
**  God.  In  considerable  distress  of  mind  he  be- 
"  gan  to  read  his  Bible,  and  there  became  ac- 
"  qainted  with  the  g-racious  method  of  salvation 
**  it  reveals.  I  have  seen  those  who  have  con- 
"  versed  with  him,  and  they  have  expressed  them- 
^*  selves  much  pleased  with  his  deep  humility  of 
*'  mind,  his  earnest  desire  to  walk  worthy  of  his 
^*  new  and  holy  profession,  as  well  as  with  the 
"  accounts  they  have  heard  of  his  general  de- 


(( 


portment."- 


A  Minister  at  • •  writes  thus — "  Some 

<*  time  since  a  friend  of  mine  gave  to  a  woman 
<*  who  attends  our  church,  a  few  Tracts  to  take 
^'  home  for  her  husband,  who  was  about  70  years 
"  of  age,  and  had  grown  grey  in  the  service  of 
<*  sin ;  having  not  only  neglected  religion  him- 
"  self,  but  violently  persecuted  his  wife  for  her 
*'  attention  to  its  important  duties.  He  read  the 
^*  Tracts,  and  the  happy  result  of  their  perusal 
**  was  a  deep  conviction  of  sin,  and  concern  for 
"  salvation.  He  lived  just  long  enough  to  lay 
^'  hold  on  eternal  life,  and  to  afford  a  pleasing 
^  testimony  to  the  sincerity  of  his  faith.     After 


ii 
a 

« 


Additional  Notes.  405 

"  about  six  months'  illness,  he  died  in  full  de- 
pendance  upon  tlie  sacrifice  of  Christ  for  the 
justification  of  his  soul  in  the  sight  of  God ; 
acknowledging,  with   almost  his  last   breath, 

"  that  he  should  have  to  bless  God  for  ever  for 

^^  those  who  had  been  instrumental  in  the  salva- 

"  tion  of  his  immortal  soul." — 

Another  says — "  Among  other  persons  to  whom 
"  I  gave  your  Tracts  was  a  young  woman  in 
"  the  village,  who  was  very  careless  about  the 
"  best  things.  She  read  it,  and  it  was  useful  to 
**  her.  A  few  days  afterwards,  she  came  to  me 
"  in  concern,  saying,  she  had  laid  the  book  in 
"  her  window,  and  the  casement  being  op^, 
♦*  she  supposed  it  had  been  blown  by  the  w^ind 
*^  into  the  road,  and  wished  to  have  another, 
which  I  gave  her.  A  short  time  after  this,  it  ap- 
peared that  her  conjecture  was  true.  The  wind 
♦*  had  blown  the  Tract  into  the  road,  where  it  was 
"  picked  up  by  a  young  woman  that  was  passing 
^*  by,  at  the  time ;  and  she  had  reason  to  hope 
"  the  book  had  been  very  useful  to  her,  by  bring- 
"  ing  her  to  attend  regularly  upon  the  means  of 
**  grace,  as  well  as  producing  a  great  change  in 
"  her  conduct." 


40*0  Additional  NoUs, 

The  following"  extract  from  a  late  Report 
made  by  the  Religious  Tract  Society  of  London^ 
is  worthy  of  being  preserved  and  recollected. 

**  In  every  district  the  Tracts  have  been  grate- 
"  fully  received,  and  eagerly  read.  The  piou» 
"  distributors  have  been  met  M'ith  smiles,  or  fol-- 
"  lowed  with  benedictions.  They  have  often 
**  been  casually  accosted  and  recognized  by  in- 
"  dividuals  they  had  long  forgotten,  and  have 
"  been  reverenced  as  the  bearers  of  a  message 
'*  from  God,  which,  through  his  grace,  they  had 
"  not  delivered  in  vain.  This  cannot  appear 
"  surprising  to  any  one,  who  considers  what  a 
"  Tract  really  is.  To  the  eye,  it  consists  but  of 
"  a  few  printed  pages,  without  any  pretensions 
"  to  typograpliical  beauty.  To  the  understand- 
"  ing,  it  is  something  infinitely  more  grand  and 
"  venerable,  than  the  most  splendid  of  merely 
"  human  compositions.  It  contains  *  the  words 
"  of  eternal  life.'  It  is  the  Gospel  in  miniature. 
"  It  concentrates  the  very  essence  of  revelation-, 
"  and  presents,  in  a  form  the  most  simple,  pre- 
"  cise,  and  striking,  the  radical  truths  and  pre- 
**  cepts  of  Christianity.  It  is  an  admonition  of 
"  human   depravity,  a  proclamation    of  divine 


*4 


Additional  Notes.  407 

^^  mercy,  a  summons  to  faith,  repentance,  and 
*'  prayer,  a  remonstrance  against  sin,  an  exhor- 
"  tation  to  duty.  Of  such  a  nature  are  the  pub- 
**  lications  which  the  Society  would  wish  to  dis- 
"  seminate  over  the  earth :  in  the  morning  sow- 
ing the  seed,  and  in  the  evening  withholding 
not  their  hand,  as  they  know  not  which  shall 
prosper,  or  whether  both  may  not  prosper 
"  alike.  Such  are  the  arrows,  which  are  shot 
*^  indeed  *  at  a  venture,*  but  which  they  would 
"  scatter  through  the  air  in  such  thick  and  uni- 
"  versal  profusion,  that  they  should  not  fail  to  fix 
**  in  the  hearts  of  all  the  King's  enemies." 

Can  any  Christian,  after  reading  such  re  pre-* 
sentations  as  these,  withhold  his  countenance,  or 
his  contributions,  when  he  has  it  in  his  power  to 
afford  either,  to  Religious  Tract  Societies  P  He 
who  is  not  animated  to  exertion  by  the  bare  possi" 
hility  of  such  facts  being  realized  in  his  own  ex- 
perience, is  little  to  be  envied,  either  for  his  hu- 
manity, or  his  christian  spirit. 

No.  II. 

« 

Page  82.  The  Old-Side  were  tvrong  in  contend- 
iny  against  w^mminatiQikS  on  personal  piety ^  ^r. 


408  Additienal  JSotea. 

As  this  subject  is  of  great  importance,  in  ad- 
ministering the  affairs  of  the  church  of  Christ, 
the  writer  deems  it  his  duty  to  express  an  opin- 
ion respecting  it,  more  at  large  than  was  proper 
or  practicable  in  the  page  referred  to  above. 

When  candidates  for  the  Gospel  ministry  come 
before  a  Judicatory  of  the  Church,  to  put  them- 
selves on  trial  for  admission  to  the  holy  office, 
every  one  agrees  in  opinion,  that  the  Judicatory 
ought  to  obtain  satisfaction  with  respect  to  their 
natural  talents  ;  t\ie\rmoral  character  j  iheir  lite^ 
rary  acquirements ;  and  their  theological  infor^^ 
mation:  and  that  unless  they  appear  well,  with 
respect  to  all  these  points,  they  ought  not  to  be 
licensed  or  ordained,  as  the  case  may  be.  But, 
amidst  these  various  inquiries,  would  it  not  be 
strange,  if  no  examination  were  had  concerning 
the  most  important  question  of  all,  viz.  Whether 
the  candidate  appeared  to  have  a  heart  so  im- 
pressed, or  practically  imbued  with  evangelical 
truth,  as  to  give  evidence  that  he  was  a  real 
christian — a  converted  man?  One  would  ima- 
gine that  on  such  a  question,  there  could  be  but 
one  opinion  among  those  who  believe  that  there 
is  a  distinction,  and  a  very  essential  one,  between 
nominal  and  real  christians ;  and  who  believe 


Additional  Notes.  409 

iti  the  reality  and  importance  of  that  great  moral 
change  which  the  scriptures  denominate  reyene- 
ration.  Yet  respectable  professing*  christians, 
and  even  ministers,  have  strongly  objected  to  ex- 
aminations touching  this  point. 

"  It  is  impossible,''  some  have  said,  "  to  search 
"  the  heart."  Granted.  No  Judicatory  pretends, 
or  ever  did  pretend,  to  do  this.  We  are  wholly 
unable.  But  we  can,  by  inquiry,  ascertain  whe- 
ther candidates  profess  to  believe  in  vital,  expe- 
rimental religion ;  we  can  judge  whether  they 
appear  to  understand  the  subject ;  we  can  hear 
whether  they  talk  like  persons,  who  had  felt  the 
jjower  of  godliness,  as  well  as  assumed  its  form  ; 
and  we  can  form  a  distinct  opinion  whether  they 
appear  to  have  such  a  practical  acquaintance 
Avith  the  subject,  as  will  enable  them  wisely  to 
instruct,  and  ably  to  counsel,  the  awakened,  the 
inquiring,  the  doubting,  and  the  tempted.  All 
this  mav,  undoubtedlv*  be  ascertained,  in  half  an 
hour,  or  an  hour,  by  asking  a  few  leading  ques- 
tions; by  placing  the  principal  parts  of  christian 
exercise  in  various  points  of  light;  and  by  listen- 
ins;  with  attention  and  with  candour  to  the 
manner  in  which  the  candidate  expresses  him- 
self on  a  subject  so  replete  with  indications  of 

52 


410  Additional  Notes. 

christian  character.  The  precise  mode  in  which 
the  inquiry  is  conducted,  is  of  little  importance, 
provided  it  be  such  an  one  as  leads  to  an  unre- 
served and  full  disclosure  of  the  candidate's  views 
and  exercises  on  the  subject. 


But  some  of  those,"  it  is  further  objected, 
who  have  given  the  most  satisfactory  relation 
"  of  christian  experience,  have  turned  out  to  be 
"utter  deceivers;  thus  proving"  that  examina- 
"  tions  of  this  kind  are  by  no  means  decisive.'* 
Be  it  so ;  and  what  t])en  ?  Because  a  plan  of  pro- 
ceeding is  not  absolutely  infallible,  is  it,  there- 
fore, worth  nothing?  We  do  not  judge  thus  in 
other  concerns.  Let  us  see  how  far  this  princi- 
ple would  carry  us,  in  a  case  closely  allied  to 
that  of  which  we  are  speaking.  In  the  same 
manner  candidates  for  the  sacred  office,  who  ap- 
peared, at  the  time  of  their  admission,  to  be 
strictly  moral,  have  been  afterwards  found  to  be 
deceivers  in  this  respect  also ;  nay,  to  have  been 
secretly  immoral  at  the  very  time  when  they  ap- 
peared otherwise  to  the  judicatory  by  which  they 
were  admitted.  But  because  this  sometimes  oc- 
curs, shall  no  inquiry  be  made  into  the  moral 
character  of  those  who  are  candidates  for  the 
sacred  profession  ?   we  need  only  ask  the  ques- 


Additional  Notes,  411 

lion,  to  show  the  utter  futility  of  the  principle  on 
which  the  objection  proceeds. 

"  But  searching  after  the  personal  experiences 
"  of  candidates/'  say  some,  "  is  intruduig-  into 
"  a  province  which  does  not  belong  to  us.  Real 
"  piety  is  a  thing  between  God  a..d  the  indivi- 
"  dual's  own  soul.  Others  have  no  concern  with 
^'  it.  As  long,  therefore,  as  a  minister  maintains 
"  a  correct  moral  deportment,  and  preaches  the 
"  truth  faithfully  and  ably,  no  one  has  a  riglit  to 
"  inquire  further."  However  this  reasoning  may 
apply  to  one  who  is  already  introduced  into  the 
ministry,  and  who  certainly  ouglit  not  to  be  de- 
posed from  the  sacred  office,  unless  convicted  of 
either  heresy  or  immorality ;  it  cannot,  with  pro- 
priety, be  applied  to  those  who  are  on  trial,  as 
candidates  for  that  office.  Can  it  be  supposed 
that  a  man  who  has  only  a  speculative  acquaint- 
ance with  the  doctrines  and  duties  of  our  holy  re- 
ligion, can  exhibit  them,  even  in  the  pulpit,  as 
plainly,  faithfully,  and  affectionately,  as  he  who 
has  an  experimental  and  heartfelt  knowledge  of 
them?  Can  the  man,  who  has  never  passed 
through  any  of  the  distinguishing  exercises  of  a 
real  christian  himself,  act  the  part  of  a  skilful 
counsellor  and  guide  to  those  who  are  "  setting 


412  Additional  Notes. 

"  their  faces  Zion  ward  ?''  Or  can  we,  ordinarily, 
expect  a  blessing-  on  the  labours  of  such  a  man  ? 
If  not;  then,  every  judicatory  of  the  church  is 
bound  to  use  all  diligence  to  close  the  door  of 
admission  into  the  gospel  ministry  against  such 
characters,  wherever  they  are  known,  or,  on  good 
ground,  suspected ;  knowing  that  a  man  who  is 
destitute  of  piety,  however  able  in  all  other  res- 
pects, cannot  be  **  a  faithful  man,  who  shall  be 
able  to  teach  others  also."  2  Tim.  ii  2.  A  ju- 
dicatory is  not  only  not  going  beyond  its  province, 
in  making  strict  inquiry  on  this  subject;  but  it  is 
attending  to  the  most  radical  and  essential  quali- 
fication of  an  able  miiiistr?/. 

On  the  whole,  though  it  is  impossible  to  search 
the  heart ;  and  though  cases  have,  doubtless,  oc- 
curred in  which  examinations  on  experimental 
religion,  the  most  satisfactory  at  the  time,  have 
proved  altogether  deceptive ;  yet  I  am  persuad- 
ed, that  such  examinations  ought  ever  to  be  con- 
sidered as  a  most  important  and  essential  part  of 
trials  for  the  Gospel  ministry ;  and  that  where 
they  are  either  wholly  omitted,  or  but  cur- 
sorily and  slightly  made,  it  augurs  extremely 
ill  for  the  interests  of  vital  religion.  And  it 
is   a  consideration    worthy    of  being    borne  in 


Additional  Notes.  413 

mind,  that  the  danofer  arising*  from  negfligfence 
on  this  subject,  always  increases  in  a  direct  pro- 
portion to  the  increase  of  a  church  in  wealth,  in 
outward  respectabihty,  and  in  extent.  As  long 
as  a  church  is  poor  and  small,  and  makes  but  an 
humble  fig-ure  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  the  temp- 
tation to  take  a  part  in  her  ministry,  can  hardly 
be  supposed  sufficiently  great  to  induce  those 
who  have  no  piety  to  seek  it.  But  in  proportion 
as  she  becomes  more  powerful,  and  presents 
more  alluring"  settlements,  the  danger  becomes 
greater  that  the  ambitious,  the  worldly  minded, 
and  the  insincere,  will  be  attracted  by  those  set- 
tlements, and  seek  an  introduction  into  her  mi- 
nistry. If  the  writer  does  not  mistake,  the  Pres- 
byterian church  in  the  United  States  has  reach- 
ed that  stage  in  her  growth  in  which  more  than 
ordinary  vigilance  with  respect  to  this  point  is 
demanded.  And,  if  ever  the  period  should  ar- 
rive in  which  our  Presbyteries  become  negligent 
or  comparatively  lax,  in  regard  to  this  part  of 
trials  for  the  holy  ministry,  it  requires  no  spirit 
of  prophecy  to  predict  that  our  evangelical  cha- 
racter will  be,  from  that  time,  speedily  and  irre- 
trievably prostrated. 


414  Additional  Notes, 

No.  III. 

Page  146.  Mr.  Cumming  accepted  the  call,  and 
was  installed  collegiate  pastor  of  their  church,  8$c. 
There  is  a  mistake  in  this  page  concerning  the 
Reverend  Mr.  Cumming.  He  had  never  been 
ordained  previous  to  his  accepting  the  call  to 
New-York.  He  had  spent  some  time  in  New- 
Brunswick  ;  but  it  was  as  a  stated  supply.  His 
ordination  to  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry, 
and  his  instalment  as  pastor  of  the  church  in 
New-Yorii,  took  place  on  the  same  day. 

No.  IV. 

Page  166.  Captain  Owen  having  been  long 
intimate  with  Mr,  William  Ludlow,  appointed 
him  his  executor,  ^c.  There  are  two  mistakes 
here.  Captain  Owen,  in  his  last  will  and  testa- 
ment, named  as  executors,  Peter  Van  Brugh 
Livingston,  William  Eagles,  and  Joris  Johnson. 
These  gentlemen,  however,  for  reasons  now  un- 
known, declined  acting:  on  which  Letters  of 
Administration,  with  the  will  annexed,  were 
granted  to  Rebecca  Shourt,  and  Gabriel  Ludlow, 
of  whom  the  latter  was  the  acting  administrator. 


Additional  Notes.  415 

It  was  not  William  then,  but  Gabriel  LudlorVf 
who  was  the  chief  agent  in  this  business;  and 
he  was  not  an  executor,  but  an  administrator. 
Though  these  mistakes  do  not,  in  the  least  de- 
gree, affect  the  substance  of  the  narrative,  in 
which  they  occur ;  yet  the  writer  feels  unwilling 
to  leave  the  smallest  fact  knowingly  mis-stated. 

No.  V. 

Page  195.  Is  cJiargeable  in  a  greater  degree 
on  the  Colleges  of  America  than  on  any  otJiers,  ^c. 
These  remarks  on  the  depreciation  in  the  value 
of  collegiate  honours,  especially  so  far  as  they 
apply  to  America f  the  writer  is  inclined  to  think, 
on  reflection,  are  not  sufficiently  guarded.  With 
respect  to  his  general  position,  that  these  honours 
have  greatly  depreciated  within  half  a  century, 
he  is  perfectly  persuaded  of  its  correctness. 
But  when  he  looks  into  such  a  work  as  that 
by  Dr.  Vicesimus  Knox,  on  Liberal  Education^ 
section  49th,  and  finds  that  respectable  writer, 
more  than  thirty  years  ago,  lamenting  over  the 
same  evil,  as  existing  then,  in  a  number  of  Euro- 
pean universities,  and  as  reflecting  disgrace  on 
them ;  he  is  inclined  to  retract  a  portion  of  the 
censure  which  he  has  passed  on  American  uni- 


416  Additional  Notes, 

versities  and  colleges,  as  peailiarly  applicable  to 
them.  He  still  thinks  that  there  is  a  prevailing 
and  grievous  fault  on  this  subject,  with  which  al- 
most all  the  colleges  in  the  United  States  are 
chargeable.  But  he  is  rather  persuaded,  if  this 
fact  will  afford  them  any  consolation,  that  they 
are  not  a  whit  more  faulty,  in  this  respect,  than 
some  similar  institutions  in  Great  Britain,  He 
could  wish,  however,  that  the  better  example  of 
'^few  of  the  British  universities,  might  still  pre- 
vail, and  might  be  the  means  of  rendering  the 
guardians  of  literature  in  this  country,  more  cau- 
tious and  vigilant  in  time  to  come.  It  cannot  be, 
for  a  moment,  questioned,  that  a  dignified  course 
of  discrimination  and  reserve  in  bestowing  literary 
degrees  would,  if  uniformly  persisted  in,  essen- 
tially promote  the  reputation,  and  enhance  the  va- 
lue of  the  honours,  of  any  seminary  of  learning. 

No,  YI. 

Page  525.  His  arm,  before  his  death,  literally 
rotted  from  his  body,  S^c.  This  anecdote  was 
communicated  to  the  writer,  not  by  Dr.  Rodyers 
himself,  whom  he  never  heard  speak  of  it ;  but 
by  Thomas  Tucker,  Esquire,  a  gentleman  of  un- 
doubted reputation,  now  residing  in  Danbury, 


Additional  Notes.  417 

He  speaks  of  the  general  fact  as  notorious,  and 
as  having  been  witnessed  by  a  number  of  persoiiS 
still  living.  No  ordinary  or  questio  able  autho- 
rity would  have  been  deemed  sutficient  to  justify 
the  recording  of  such  a  statement. 

No.  YII. 

Page  252.  The  Reverend  Doctors  Hohert 
Smith,  Robert  Cooper,  James  Latta,  8(c»  On  re- 
viewing the  page  in  which  the  names  and  cha- 
racters of  this  group  of  worthies  are  recorded, 
together  with  several  other  pages  of  a  simdar 
kind,  in  the  same  chapter,  as  well  as  in  other 
chapters ;  it  has  occurred  to  the  writer  that  some 
will  consider  him  as  having  dealt,  with  a  hand 
somewhat  too  liberal,  the  language  of  eulogium. 
He  is  by  no  means  confident  that  he  has  been 
either  sufficiently  guarded,  or  sufficiently  dis- 
criminating, in  the  delineation  of  characters.  But 
after  the  most  serious  and  deliberate  review  of 
the  subject  which  he  has  been  able  to  take,  he 
cannot  discern  a  course  which  would  have  been 
less  exceptionable  than  that  which  he  has  pur- 
sued. He  was  desirous  that  his  work  should 
contain  some  notice  of  a  number  of  men  whe 

63 


418  Additional  Notes, 

were  useful  and  honoured  in  the  church,  in  their 
day,  and  some  of  whose  names  are  not  to  be  found 
in  any  other  volume.  It  is  obvious,  from  the  very 
nature  of  the  case,  that  it  was  not  possible  for 
him  to  devote  more  than  a  few  lines  to  each  in- 
dividual. With  the  greater  part  of  them  he,  of 
course,  had  no  personal  acquaintance ;  and,  there- 
fore, could  only  undertake  to  speak  of  them  in 
the  general  terms  in  which  he  had  been  accus- 
tomed to  hear  them  spoken  of,  by  his  deceased 
Colleague,  or  by  other  fathers  of  the  church. 
Had  he  been  minutely  acquainted  with  the  defi- 
ciencies, and  the  faults  of  all  of  them,  which  he 
is  not,  it  would  have  been,  as  he  apprehends,  al- 
together unsuitable  for  him  to  have  attempted  to 
hint  at  them  in  such  a  hasty  sketch.  Under 
these  circumstances,  the  only  course  which  ap- 
peared left  for  him,  was  that  which  he  pursued. 
To  have  professed  or  aimed  to  give  the  character 
of  each  with  minute  discrimination,  would  not 
only  have  required  much  more  room  than  he 
was  able  to  spare,  and  a  much  more  intimate  ac- 
quamtance  with  their  respective  talents,  acquire- 
ments, and  history,  than  he  possessed  j  but  would 
also  have  been,  after  all,  a  delicate  and  difficult  task. 


Additional  Notes.  419 

No.  VIII. 

Pag-e  273.  The  formation  of  the  Cedar-street 
churchy  as  a  separate  pastoral  charge,  ^c.  The 
writer  deems  this  event  so  important  in  the  histo- 
ry of  the  Presbyterian  chmxh  in  New-York,  as  to 
demand  a  number  of  remarks,  which  he  could 
not  have  introduced  in  the  place  above  mention- 
ed, without  too  much  interrupting  the  course  of  the 
narrative.  The  erection  of  the  building  and  the 
formation  of  the  church  in  (7ec?«r-street,  in  the 

First  place,  were  the  means  of  giving"  a  spring, 
if  the  expression  may  be  allowed,  to  ecclesiastical 
exertion  in  the  City,  which  had  been  in  a  great 
measure  unknown  for  many  years  before.      The 
ground  was  purchased,  and  the  edifice  erected,  at 
an  expense  of  between  forty  and  fifty  thousand 
dollars ;    which   sum,   by  the  sale  of  the  pews, 
was  raised,  in  a  few  hours,  so  as  completely  to 
relieve  the  establishment  from  debt.     Though  in- 
stances of  a  similar  kind  had  occurred  in  other 
places,  none  such  had  ever  before  occurred  in 
New-York.       It  showed   what  could   be  done, 
where  there  was  a  willing  mind ;  and  its  influ- 
ence, in  several  subsequent  cases,  has  been  mani- 


420  Additional  JSolcb. 

fest,  and  by  no  means  unimportant.  If  no  other 
effect  had  been  produced,  this  would  have  been 
an  interesting  one  to  the  whole  city.  May  it  be 
long  before  its  happy  influence  is  expended! 
But,  in  the 

Second  place,  it  was,  doubtless,  one  of  the 
principal   means    employed    by   Providence   for 
breaking  up  the  system  of  collegiate-charges y  so 
long  established,  and  so  highly  mischievous,  in 
the  Presbyterian  church  oi New-York,     Though 
this  system,  wherever  it  exists,  is  injurious  to  the 
body  of  the  churches  so  united,  and  perplexing 
and  discouraging  to  the  ministers :    though  it  is 
the  parent  of  endless  jealousies,  bickerings,  and 
animosities :  and  though  it  gives  rise  to  nume- 
rous difficulties,  which  none  but  those  who  have 
been  called  to  the  pastoral  office  in  such  churches 
can  fully  understand  or  feel ;   yet  where  it  has 
been  in  operation  for  forty   or  fifty  years,  and 
where  its  disruption  must  invade  the  feelings  and 
the  prejudices  of  many  individuals,  none  can  ex- 
pect to  accomplish  such  a  measure  without  much 
agtation  and  trouble.     The  establishment  of  the 
Cec/ar-street  church,  toward  the  close  of  1808; 
the  unusual  degree  of  success  which  attended 
the  whole  undertaking;  the  numerous  advanta- 


Additional  Notes.  421 

ges  which  soon  began  to  disclose  themselves,  as 
resulting  from  a  separate  pastoral  charge;  and 
the  impression  which  these  advantages  made,  si- 
lently, bat  deeply,  on  the  public  mind — all  tend- 
ed at  once  to  hasten,  and  to  facilitate  the  attempt, 
to  separate  the  old  collegiate  churches.  Before 
the  undertaking  was  commenced,  an  "  armed 
doctrine"  had  gone  forth  among  the  people, 
which  prepared  them  for  all  that  followed;  or 
rather,  which  no  opposition  to  the  scheme  could, 
humanly  speaking,  withstand.  So  that  when  the 
plan  of  separation  was  announced  and  understood, 
though  opposed  by  some  very  respectable  indi- 
viduals, it  was  carried  through  with  less  trouble, 
and  at  a  less  sacrifice,  than  might  reasonably  have 
been  expected. 

The  writer  is  by  no  means  unfriendly  to  the 
introduction  of  more  ministers  than  one  into  the 
same  church,  where  delicate  health,  or  the  infir- 
mities of  age,  prevent  one  from  being  adequate 
to  the  necessary  labour.  Though,  even  in  this 
case,  he  is  persuaded  much  caution  and  discreet 
management  are  necessary,  in  order  to  afford  a 
reasonable  prospect  of  comfort  to  all  parties. 
But  the  connexion  of  two  or  more  large  churches, 
under  the  equal  pastoral  care  of  two  or  more 


422  Additional  Notes. 

ministers  he  has  long*  viewed  as  one  of  the 
most  ingenious  devices  of  satan  to  sow  discord 
among"  brethren ;  to  clog  and  weaken  minis- 
terial exertion ;  and  to  retard,  in  all  respects, 
the  growth  of  the  church.  And  according- 
ly he  cannot  help  considering  every  instance 
of  the  dissolution  of  such  a  connexion,  as  a 
matter  of  rejoicing,  and  every  event  which  may 
have  contributed  to  it  as  a  public  blessing. — 
It  may  be  added,  in  the 

Third  place,  that  the  success  of  Dr.  Homeyns 
ministry  proved  highly  auspicious  to  the  evangeli- 
cal interests  of  the  city.  The  collegiate  system 
had  been  the  means  of  producing  and  continuing 
a  general  languor,  which  extended  itself  in  a  de- 
gree to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  old  churches. 
It  pleased  God  to  connect  the  introduction  of  a 
different  system,  as  He  had  before  done  in  Doc- 
tor Blilledolers  case*,  with  an  evident  blessing. 

*  Though  the  church  in  Rutgers -sir  eci,  when  Dr. 
Milledoler  became  its  pastor,  was  legally  under  the  same 
Corporation  with  the  JFa//  street  and  Brick  churches,  and 
also,  ecclesiastically,  under  the  same  Eldership  ;  yet  such 
arrangements  were  made,  from  the  beginning,  as  placed 
that  church  exclusively  under  his  pastoral  care,  and  com- 
pletely delivered  him  and  his  people  from  all  the  evils  of 
the  collegiate  system. 


Additional  Notes,  423 

The  able  and  faithful  ministry  of  Doctor  Homeyn 
was  attended  with  more  than  ordinary  success ; 
and  the  union,  zeal,  liberality,  and  attachment  to 
their  pastor,  manifested  by  the  people  of  his 
charge,  have  been  productive  of  good,  even  be- 
yond their  immediate  pale,  and  are  worthy  of 
imitation.  Since  the  separation  also,  a  similar 
blessing"  has,  in  a  degree,  attended  most  of  the 
other  churches,  especially  that  under  the  care 
of  Mr.  Spring.  The  writer  is  persuaded,  that 
he  is  chargeable  with  no  exaggeration,  when 
he  asserts,  that,  all  the  churches  which  were  once 
united,  have  become  more  flourishing  since  they 
were  separated;  and  that,  in  the  period  of  four  years 
since  that  event  occurred,  nearly  double  the  num- 
ber of  members  has  been  added  to  the  aggregate 
Presbyterian  body  in  Nejv-York,  that  was  ever 
added  to  it  in  a  similar  period  before. 


FINIS. 


/ 


BRRATji. 

Page  1C7.  L  3.  for  about  the  year  1754 — read,  in  the  year  1758. 
Page  179.no?e,  for  Peter  McDou^all,  read  Alexander  McDoxt^ail 
Page  227. 1.  3.  for  1780,  read  1783. 


CONTEXTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

J^rom  his  Birth)  to  his  Licensure  to  fir  each  the  Gosfiel. 

Page 

Introductory  remarks,        •        -        -        .         -       9—12 
His  birth,  parentage,  &c.             ,         -         -         .  12 
His  early  education,  teachers,  and  promising  charac- 
ter,             13 — 17 

Hears  Mr.  r^'Afr^e/c?  with  profit — Anecdotes,     -  14 
Goes  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Roan's  Academy — conduct 

there,       -------  16 

Goes  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Blair's  do. — account  of  Mr. 

Blair, 17- 

Studies  with  the  Rev.  President  Davies — -account  of 

the  latter, 18 

Concludes  his  studies  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev. 

Gilbert  Tennent — account  of  Mr.  Tennent,     -  22 

Enters  on  trials  for  Licensure — Licensed,  -         -  23 


CHAPTER  n. 

From  his  Licensure  till  his  settlement  at  St.  George's. 

Soon  after  his  licensure  travels  into  Virginia  with 

Mr.  Davies,       ------  24 

Remarkable  circumstance  attending  that  jouniey,    -         25 
The  rise  and  progress  of  Presbyterianism  in   Vir- 
ginia,          27 

John  Organ,  a  pious  school-master,     -         -         -  29 

Boston's  Fourfold  State,  and  Luther  on  Galatians, 

useful, 32 

All  the  early  Reformers  Calvinistical,  -         -  32 

Mr.  Samuel  Morris,  hopefully  converted,  and  useful,         32 
Reverend  William  Robinson  travels  into  Virginia-'^ 

Anecdotes  concerning  him,         -         -         -  37 

Mr.  Morris'  account  of  the  state  of  Relieion,       -  40 

54 


426  CONTENTS. 

Mr.  Rodgers  arrives  at  Williamsburghy       -         »  48 

R.'spectfuUy  treated  by  the  Governor,  -         -  49 

Refused  a  license  to  preach  in  the  colony,  -  50 

Anecdote  of  Sir  W.  Gooch,  and  acco;Lint  of  Reverend 

Jamea  Blair  ^      ..----  54 

Mr.  Rodgers  leaves  Virginia,  and  visits  Somerset 

county,  in  Maryhndy  -         -  -         -  56 

Lodges  at  Capt.  ITenaA/e's— -anecdotes  of  Mr.  Win,' 

der,  -.-----  58 

Meets  with  an  unpleasant  and  threatening  occur- 
rence,       ,------  63 

Leaves  Maryland^  and  returns  to  Pennsylvania,     -  64 

Has  four  calls  put  into  his  hands,        -         -         -  64 

Accepts  that  from  Sl  George* s^  ,         ..         -  65 


CHAPTER  HI. 

From  his  settlement  in  St.   George's,  till  his  removal  to 

J^enU'York. 

His  ordination  and  instalment,  at  St.  George's,  -  66 
His  ordination  sermon  preached  by  Dr.  Finley — ac- 
count of  the  latter,  -----  67 
Enters  on  his  pastoral  labours,  •  -  -  68 
His  solemn  dedication  to  God,  -  -  -  -  69 
His  attention  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Macivhorter — account 

of  the  latter, 71 

Divisions  in  the  Presbyterian  church,           -         -  73 

Sources  and  occasions  of  these  divisions,     -         -  74 

Old-Side,  and  JVetv-Side, ^i) 

Divisions  healed,  and  parties  happily  united,         -  83 

Benefits  resulting  from  the  controversy,     -         -  83 

Mr.  Rodgers  a  JSfeiu-Side  man,             _         -         ,  84 
Account  of  Mr.  Rodgers*  ministry,  at  St.  George's, 

by  the  Rv  v   Mr.  Latta,      -         -         -         -  86 

Mr.  Rodgers  marries  Miss  Bayard,             -         -  93 

Takes  a  second  journey  into  Virginia,         -         -  94 

Declines  an  invitation  to  visit  .A^ew- TorA-,    -         -  96 

Curious  anecdotes  respecting  the  Rev.  H.  Knox,  97 

Rev   President  Burr,         -         -         -         -         -  lOP 

Mr.  Rodgers  preaches  with  success  in  Maryland^  104 


CoNTfiNTS."  427 

Page 

Singular  letter  to  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury^  105 

Mr.  Rodders*  concern  with  that  letter,        -         -  107 

Mr.  Rodger s  declines  a  mission  to  Eurofie^         -  108 

Reverend  Charles  Heatty^           -         -         -         -  109 

Life  of  Mr.  Rodger s  remarkably  preserved,         -  1 10 

Loses  his  wife,  and  marries  a  second  time,          -  112 

Bis  opinion  respecting;  wives  for  clergymen,       -  113 

Chosen  a  Trustee  of  A''tw- Jersey  College,            -  114 

His  zeal  and  diligence  as  a  Pastor,     -         -         -  115 
Preaches  to  an  assembly  which  Mr.  Whitejield  had 

disappointed,    -         -         -         -         -         -  117 

Receives  a  call  from  TV'ijw-ForA',          -         -         -  119 

Accepts  the  call,        ------  121 

Removes  his  family  to  AVw-For^,       -         -         •  121 


CHAPTER  IV. 

History  of  the  Church  in  JVca-York. 

First  account  of  Presbyterians  there,  -  -  122 
All  the  Reformers  Presbyterians^  except  the  En* 

glishy -  «       123 

The    Rev.   Messrs.  M^Kemie   and  Hamjiton,    visit 

New-York^ 125 

Their  extraordinary  treatment  there,           -         -  127 

Account  of  Mr.  iVf'A'em/c,            -         -         -         -  126 

Lord  Corn^ wry 'fi  meanness  and  bigotry,      -         -  127 

Account  of  Mr.  M'Xd-mae'*  trial,          -         -         -  129 

Presbyterians  in  .'V<?w-ForA:  organize  a  church,    -  133 

Call,  and  obtain  the  Rev.  James  Anderson^           -  133 

Build  a  house  for  public  worship,        -         -         -  134 

Dr.  .Yicoll*s  great  zeal  and  exertions,          -         -  134 

Charter  of  incorporation  refused,        -         -         -  136 

Second  unsuccessful  attempt  to  obtain  a  charter,  -  136 

Division  in  the  church,  -  -  -  -  -  136 
A  party  call  the  Rev.  Mr    (afterwards  President,) 

Edvjards-i           .,-----  137 

Account  of  President  ^f/war(/s,           -         -         -  138 

Division    healed,  and  church  again  united,           -  139 

Mx.  Anderson  \tdi\c^  jyevj-York,         -         -         -  139 


428  COiJTBKTS, 

Page 

The  Rev.  Mr  -Pf/w^^-ron  called,  -  -  -  139 
His  Ordination,  ---.--  140 
Charter  again  refused,  -.-.--  140 
Church  and  ground  conveyed  to  the  General  As- 
sembly ot  the  church  of -Sco^/awc?,  -  -  141 
Dr.  A'icoll.<i*  death — Trustees  chosen,  -  -  143 
Kevival  of  relij^ion  in  the  congregation,  -  -  144 
Mr.  Whitejield  visits  J\re'w-York.  -  -  -  144 
His  preaching  beneficial  to  the  church  there,  -  145 
House  of  worship  enlarged,  -  -  -  -  145 
Rev.   Mr.  Cu7nming  called  as  a  colleague  to   Mr, 

Pemherton — His  character,         -         -         -  146 

Divisions  take  place  in  the  congregation,    -         -  147 

Mr.  F  ember  ton  z.Vidi  Mr.  Cwm?^^^' both  dismissed,  154 

The  Rev.  Dr.  bellamy  called,     -         -         -  -  156 

He  declines  accepting  the  call. — His  character,  -  156 
Mr,  Rodgers  declines  an  invitation  to  pay  a  visit  to 

the  city, -  157 

The  Kev  David  McGregors  rejects  a  call,  -  157 

Mr.  M'Gre^-ore's  character,        -         -         -         -  157 

The  Rev.  David  Bostwick  called  to  J^'ew-York,  -  159 

Character  of  Mr.  Bostwick,         -         -         -         -  159 

He  accepts  the  call,  and  settles  in  JVenv-Yorky     -  161 
A  portion  of  the  congregation  secede,  and  call  Dr. 

Mason,      -------  163 

The  character  of  Doctor  iV/ason,         -         -         -  165 

Another  unsuccessful  attempt  to  obtain  a  charter,  166 

Capt.  Ow<fn*«  legacy— anecdotes  respecting  it,     -  167 

Capt.  JVeilson's  legacy—circumstances  attending  it,  1 70 

The  congregation  purchase  a  Parsonage,    -         -  171 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Treat  called  to  A'eW'York^       -  172 

Mr.  Sostivick's  death,  -----  172 

Doctor  i?ocf^er5  called  to  A'<?w- ForA-,  -         -  172 

Accepts  the  call,        -         -         -         -         -         -  173 

CHAPTER  V. 

From  his  removal  to  the  city  of  JSfew- York,  till  the  com- 
mencement of  the  Revolutionary  War. 

>Ir.  Rodger s  arrives  in  Neto-York^^ndi  is  installed,  174 


^  Page 

Sets  Up  a  weekly  liecture,            -        •        -        -  176 

His  ministry  attended  with  a  blessing,         -         -  177 

Takes  measures  to  secure  Capt.  Owen*s  legacy,  -  179 
Abolishes  some  exceptionable  customs  in  the  church 

in  J^eiV'York,    ---.--  179 

It  becomes  necessary  to  erect  a  new  church,       -  181 

The  Brick  church  opened,          -         -         -         -  182 

A  fourth  unsuccessful  effort  to  obtain  a  charter,  -  183 

Amidst  all  difficulties  the  church  flourishes,        -  184 

Controversy  respeciing  an  American  Efiiscofiate^  -  1 85 

Mr.  Rodger s  engaged  in  that  controversy,  -         -  188 

The  objects  of  the  Anti-episcopal  Convention,    -  189 

Mr.  jRorf^er*  associated  with  Rev.  Di\  Laidliej  &c,  192 

Character  of  Doctor  Laidlie,       -         -         -         -  192 

Mr.  i?orf5'er«  receives  a  Doctor's  degree,    -         -  195 

Depreciation  of  Academic  honours,    -         -         -  195 

Doctor  Withersfioon  ^irriyes  in  A?nerica,       -         -  197 

Doctor  Rodger s  particularly  friendly  to  him,       -  197 

They  visit  Boston  together,         -         -         -         -  197 

Character  of  Doctor  Withers/toon,       -         -         -  198 

Dr.  Rodgers  goes  on  a  mission  to  Vermont,         -  200 

Success  of  his  preaching,  and  adventures  there,  -  200 

One  more  unsuccessful  effort  to  obtain  a  charter,  204 

Doctor  Rodgers  an  early  and  decided  Whig,       -  206 

Removes  his  family  from  AVw-ForA-,           -         -  208 

Interview  with  General  Washington^           -         -  208 

Removes  his  family  to  Grc-ew^e/c?,       -         -         -  209 

His  Father's  death,             -         -         -         -         -  2iO 

His  European  correspondence,            -         -         -  211 

Anecdote  respecting  it,     -         -        -        -        -  211 


CHAPTER  VI. 

The  fieriod  of  his  Exile  from  A^ew-York^  during  the  Revo- 
lutionary War, 

He  is  appointed  a  Chaplain  in  the  army,      -         -  213 

Takes  a  journey  into  the  State  of  Georgia^           -  214 

The  Rev.  Doctor  Zubly^s  character,             -         -  214 

Dr.  Rodgers  returns  to  his  family  at  Greenfield^  -  216 


430  CONTENTS- 

Pago 

Appointed  chaplain  to  the  Convention  at  Esofiua^  216 
Removes  from  JSso^Wfi,      -         -         •         -         -  217 
His  moveable  property  remarkably  preserved,     -  217 
He  removes  to  "S/tarow  in  Connecticut^         -         -  218 
Letter  concerning  his  residence  at   Sharon^  and  af- 
terwards at  ^mema,           -         -         -         -  219 

He  fennoves  to  Uanbury,             -         .         -         -  222 

His  zeal  and  diligence  there,      -         -         -         -  223 

He  removes  to  Lamington,         -         -         -         -  226 

Letter  concerning  his  ministry  there,           -         -  227 

Treaty  of  Peace  signed,      -----  230 

Doctor  Rodgers  attempts  to  supply  the  soldiers  of 

the  American  army  with  Bibles,         -         -  230 
General  Washington's  letter  to  him  on  that  subject,  232 
The  destruction  of  the  Presbyterian  houses  of  wor- 
ship, Sec.  in  JVew-York^  during  the  war,       -  234 
Doctor  Rodgers  returns  to  J\reW'York^         -         -  237 
Retrospect  of  his  conduct  and  character  during  the 

war,           -         -         --        -         -         -         -  237 

The  testimony  of  Gouverneur  Morris^  Esq.  in  his 

favour, 338 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

From  the  Revolutionary  War-,  till  his  last  Illness. 

The  ruinous  condition  of  the  Churches  in  J^ewYork, 

at  the  close  of  the  war,       -         -         -         -  243 

Dr.  Rodgers  preaches  in  St.  George*s^  and  St.  PauVs 

churches,  in  .A^ew-ForX:,     -         -         -         -  244 
Preaches  a  Thanksgiving  Sermon,  which  was  pub- 
lished,        244 

Brick  church  first  repaired,  and  opened,     -         -  245 

Wall-street  church  repaired  and  opened,     -         -  249 

Church  in  JWw-  York  incorporated  under  a  general 

Act  of  the  Legislature,      -         -         -         -  248 

First  Trustees,  -         -         -         -         -         -  248 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson  settled  as  a  colleague  with 

Doctor  Rodgersy       -----  250 


CONTENTS.  43J 

Page 

Doctor  Rodgera  chosen   Vice-chancellor  of  the  Uni- 
versity,    -------  251 

Revisal  of  the  Standards  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 

commenced,      ------  251 

The  various  steps  taken  in  this  business,     -  251—258 

Rev.  Doctor  Robert  Smith,           -         -         -         *  252 

■'.  '      Robert  Coofier,        ...         -  252 

■          James  JLattOy            -         -         -         -  252 

George  Duffield,     -         -         -         -  253 

. Patrick  Allison,      -         -         -         -  254 

James  Sfiroat,          -         -         _         -  255 

■         John  Eiving,            -         -         -         -  255 

. Matthew  Wilson,    -         -         -         -  258 

Rev.  Mr.  John  Miller,         -----  26Q 
Doctor  Rodger s  moderator  of  the  ^r«^  General  As- 
sembly,       260 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson  leaves  J^eto-York,      -         -  261 
Controversy  respecting  Doctor   Muir  and  Doctor 

Morse, 262 

The  Rev.  Dr.  M^Knight  accepts  a  call  to  J^ew-  York,  264 

His  instalment  there,           -----  264 

The  church  in  JN'ew-  York  establishes  a  charity -school^  265 

The  Rev.  S.  Miller  accepts  a  call  to  J^evi-York,  -  266 

Ordained  and  installed  there,      -         -         -         -  266 

Doctor  Rodgers  goes  on  a  delegation  to   Connec- 
ticut,         -------  266 

Doctor  Rodgers  preaches  at  the  funeral  of  Doctor 

Withers/ioon,               -----  267 

Presbytf  rian  church  erected  in  Rutgers-stveet,    -  268 
Opened  for  public  worship  by  Doctor  Rodgers,    -  268 
Doctor  Rodgers  relinquishes    his   Thursday   Lec- 
ture,            269 

Doctor   Milledoler    called    to   the    Rutgers-sw^et 

church,      -------  270 

Church  in  C«?c?ar-street  erected  and  opened,         -  271 

The  Rev.  Doctor  Romeyn  called  to  J\''ew-York,    -  272 

Installed  pastor  of  the  CVc/ar-street  church,         -  272 

Separation  of  the  United  churches,     -         -         -  272 

JFc/Z-street  church  rebuilt,         -         -         -         -  275 

Church  in  Sfiring-street  erected,         -         -         -  276 

'i  he  Rev.  Mr.  Spring  called  to  JVeiv-^York,           -  277 

His  instalment  as  Pastor  of  the  Brick  church,     -  277 


432j  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VIIL 

His  last  Illness  and  Death. 

Pa^e 
Doctor  Bodgers  begins  to  preach  but  once  on  the 

sabbath,              -         -         -         -         -         •  278 

Both  his  bodily  and  mental  powers  decline,         -  279 

Begins  to  use  notes  in  the  Pulpit,         -         -         -  279 

Delivers  his  last  sermon,            ....         -  280 

Engages  in  his  last  public  service,  -  -  -  281 
Failure  of  his  memory  on  every  subject  excepting 

that  of  Religion,       -----  282 

His  last  social  prayer,         -         -         -         -         -  285 

His  Death, 287 

His  Funeral,     -------  288 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Ilia  General  Character, 

Doctor  Rushes  letter  on  his  general  character,    -  291 

Rev.  Doctor  Livingstones                  do.          -         -  298 

Rev.  Mr.  Forrest* s              do.      -         -         -         •  301 

Dr.  Rodgers'  ardent  and  uniform  Piety^       -         -  304 

His  Prudence^            -         -          -         -         -          -  310 

His  uniform  and  indefatigable  ZadoMrff,      -         -  314 

The  character  of  his  PreacAzV?^,          -         -         -  317 

His  great  disinterestedness  of  character,     -         -  322 

The  spotless  purity  of  his  Moral  Character^         -  324 
His  punctual  attendance  on  the  Judicatories  of  the 

Churchy 326 

His  liberality  of  sentiment,           -         -         -         -  32s 

His  conduct  with  respect  to  Worldly  Pro/ierty,  -  331 

He  was  no  Politician^         -----  333 

His  Humanity  and  Benevolence^           -         -         -  337 

The  peculiar  Dignity  of  his  Manner Sy         -         -  338 

His  attention  to  iJrc«5,        -         -         -         -         -  341 

List  of  his  Publications-,      -----  342 

Lessons  taught  by  his  history,     -         -         -         -  345 


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